USA Games
Calling All Champions!
USA SUMMER GAMES
June 20-26 2026, Minneapolis, MN
Team Nebraska is made up of athletes from across the state competing at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games! Over 60 individuals make up Team Nebraska going for the gold in 7 sports: athletics, bocce, bowling, flag football, powerlifting, soccer, and tennis.
Check out the bios below and get to know that athletes and coaches representing Special Olympics Nebraska this June in Minnesota.
Support Team Nebraska
Bocce
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Addison Davis | Athlete
Hometown: Omaha
Interests, Work, and Hobbies: Addison likes to be with friends and enjoys watching sports like football, basketball, and volleyball."I'm happier. I've made new friends and I'm more confident because of Special Olympics." -
Jeff Wrich | Athlete
Hometown: Papillion
Previous Games Appearances: 2022 USA Games
Interests, Work, and Hobbies: Jeff likes to root on USC football, Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Lakers, and enjoys NASCAR. He also enjoys playing video games, watching movies, and listening to music."Special Olympics has given me new opportunities to do things I haven't done before. I have built confidence in myself and working with others and teammates." -
Amy Sissel | Unified Partner
Hometown: Papillion
Previous Games Appearances: 2022 USA Games
Interests, Work, and Hobbies: Amy enjoys cooking, sports, watching movies, shopping, and spending time with her friends and family."Special Olympics has provided me with so much love and compassion for these athletes. I love to watch their excitement as they experience something new and/or achieve new goals or a personal best." -
Sophie Hill | Unified Partner
Hometown: Gretna
Interests, Work, and Hobbies: Sophie enjoys participating in Special Olympics leadership events and building relationships/friendships through these experiences. She has practiced her leadership at state, national, and international levels. She is also very passionate about inclusion and youth leadership."Leadership opportunities through Special Olympics have shaped my passion and journey in the Unified Movement. During this time, I met amazing people, learned valuable lessons, and grew both personally and professionally." -
Hannah Ries | Coach
Hometown: Omaha
Interests, Work, and Hobbies: Hannah enjoys playing and coaching team sports. She likes helping athletes build confidence and skills."Sports has always brought people together and levels the playing field. Seeing it firsthand in the Special Olympics world has reaffirmed that sense of community for me."
Bowling
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Allie Moore | Athlete
Hometown: Kearney
Previous Games Appearances: 2022 USA Games
Interests, Work, and Hobbies: Allie enjoys fishing, kayaking, and crafts.
Impact Statement: Special Olympics has given Allie a lot of new friends, helped her gain confidence, and allowed her to experience new opportunities."It's not all about the competition, it's about meeting new people, making friends and having memories that will last a lifetime. Representing a wonderful state, doing my very best." -
Jonathan Saxton | Athlete
Hometown: Fremont
Interests, Work, and Hobbies: Jonathan loves music and enjoys gaming. He is currently teaching himself how to play guitar."I have met a lot of people but more importantly I am more confident in what I do and feel like I truly can do anything." -
Matthew Young | Athlete
Hometown: Kearney
Interests, Work, and Hobbies: Matthew enjoys deer hunting, going to demolition derbies, and spending time with his family.
Impact Statement: Special Olympics has allowed Matthew to meet new people. -
Talisa Stumpf | Athlete
Hometown: Omaha
Previous Games Appearances: 2014 USA Games
Interests, Work, and Hobbies: Talisa plays baseball at AllPlay, enjoys playing with her young niece and nephews, and enjoys going out. She works part-time at Chick-Fil-A and volunteers at Lakeside Hospital."Special Olympics has given me opportunities to be active in the community, to increase my self-confidence, and keep in touch with friends from school." -
Lisa Saxton | Coach
Hometown: Fremont
Interests, Work, and Hobbies: Lisa has a passion for helping people which shows up in her job, volunteer work, and daily life."Having fun, feeling successful, and loving your sport is so important."
Flag Football
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Adam Kronberg | Athlete
Hometown: Fremont
Interests, Work, and Hobbies: Adam enjoys his job as a chef, reading, and spending time with family.
Impact Statement: Special Olympics has allowed Adam to meet others and spread awareness. -
Dexter Drbal | Athlete
Hometown: Lincoln
Interests, Work, and Hobbies: Dexter enjoys spending time traveling with his family, meeting new people, watching college football, and working at Hyvee.
Impact Statement: Special Olympics has given Dexter the chance to work on his teamwork and leadership skills. -
Evan Devore | Athlete
Hometown: Fremont
Interests, Work, and Hobbies: Evan enjoys hanging out with his friends and playing video games.
Impact Statement: Special Olympics has allowed Evan to see new states and try new things. -
Jarred Smith | Athlete
Hometown: Lincoln
Interests, Work, and Hobbies: Jarred enjoys doing art, playing video games, and watching movies.
Impact Statement: Special Olympics has given Jarred the chance to learn new skills, make new friends, and prioritize his health. -
Kenneth Kronberg | Athlete
Hometown: Fremont
Interests, Work, and Hobbies: Kenneth enjoys working out and spending time with his friends and family.
Impact Statement: Special Olympics has given Kenneth the opportunity to build relationships with others. -
Logan Tedrow | Athlete
Hometown: Bennington
Interests, Work, and Hobbies: Logan enjoys listening to music, playing with his dog, watching football, and traveling.
Impact Statement: Special Olympics has given Logan more confidence, lifelong friendships, and better health. -
Matthew Hoffman | Athlete
Hometown: Ashland
Previous Games Appearances: 2018 USA Games
Interests, Work, and Hobbies: Matt enjoys watching movies, playing sports, and working at Ashland-Greenwood Highschool."I look forward to training with my teammates, singing on the bus ride, and competing at the game." -
Patrick McCracken | Athlete
Hometown: Lincoln
Previous Games Appearances: 2022 USA Games
Interests, Work, and Hobbies: Patrick enjoys watching Husker sports, working, and hanging out with friends.
Impact Statement: Special Olympics has given Patrick more confidence and the opportunity to build relationships. -
Scott Lamb | Athlete
Hometown: Omaha
Interests, Work, and Hobbies: When Scott is not playing sports, he is listening to music, watching movies, watching football, and hanging out with his family."Special Olympics has changed my life by introducing me to people and keeping me active in sports." -
Zachary Womach | Athlete
Hometown: Fremont
Interests, Work, and Hobbies: Zachary enjoys hanging out with his friends, playing video games, and collecting cards.
Impact Statement: Special Olympics has allowed Zachary to learn new skills. -
Cory Piercy | Coach
Hometown: Fremont
Interests, Work, and Hobbies: Cory enjoys working with athletes to help them perform at their best and become the best version of themselves."I try to stretch their comfort zones for what it means to be an athlete as well as a role model for other athletes that look up to them." -
Tim Hoffman | Coach
Hometown: Ashland
Previous Games Appearances: 2022 USA Games
Interests, Work, and Hobbies: Tim has spent many years coaching, managing, officiating, and observing youth/ Special Olympics sports."My coaching philosophy is to combine teaching, being responsible, being respectful and representing the state of Nebraska with class."
Powerlifting
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Andrew Kline | Athlete
Hometown: Papillion
Previous Games Appearances: 2003 World Games,
2009 World Games
Interests, Work, and Hobbies: Andrew loves watching movies, playing video games, and watching football.
Impact Statement: Special Olympics has given Andrew lifelong friends. -
Brady Shannon | Athlete
Hometown: Omaha
Interests, Work, and Hobbies: Brady enjoys playing Fortnite, watching WWE, hanging out with friends, and working at a concession stand.
Impact Statement: He is most looking forward to "work hard", "lift big weights", and "be on Peacock TV" at the USA Games. -
Emma Jud | Athlete
Hometown: Omaha
Interests, Work, and Hobbies: Emma enjoys listening to music, hanging out with her friends, and taking care of her pets.
Impact Statement: Special Olympics helped Emma grow her confidence and allowed her to be open to trying new things.
"I look forward to competing at a higher level and meeting other athletes from around the country." -
Tencie Tonniges | Athlete
Hometown: Wahoo
Previous Games Appearances: 2014 USA Games, 2022 USA Games
Interests, Work, and Hobbies: Tencie enjoys doing sports photography, playing board games, camping, baking, and cooking."I want to be the most positive and the best athlete I can be while competing for Team Nebraska in the 2026 USA Olympic Games." -
Mike Sissel | Coach
Hometown: Papillion
Previous Games Appearances: 2022 USA Games
Interests, Work, and Hobbies: Mike is a certified personal trainer and has over 30 years of experience working with individuals with disabilities. He enjoys supporting athletes in reaching higher levels of competition."I enjoy watching the athletes compete, achieve goals, and even do things they thought they couldn't do."
Soccer
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Carlos Magana-Juarez | Athlete
Hometown: South Sioux City
Interests, Work, and Hobbies: Carlos loves to play basketball, volleyball, bowling, and soccer.
Impact Statement: Carlos has made a lot of friends through Special Olympics, and they spend a lot of time hanging out together. -
Cesar Lopez Cabrera | Athlete
Hometown: South Sioux City
Interests, Work, and Hobbies: Cesar enjoys soccer, football, and is learning how to play basketball.
Impact Statement: Special Olympics has given Cesar more opportunities, new friends, and has given him the chance to meet more people. -
Devon Conley | Athlete
Hometown: South Sioux City
Interests, Work, and Hobbies: Devon spends most of his time competing in track, softball, soccer, flag football, basketball and volleyball, but when he has free time, he enjoys watching anime shows.
Impact Statement: Special Olympics has given Devon new friends and the opportunity to travel to other towns. -
Eryc Bravo | Athlete
Hometown: South Sioux City
Previous Games Appearances: 2013 World Games
Interests, Work, and Hobbies: Eryc enjoys gaming and playing with his dogs.
Impact Statement: Special Olympics has given Eryc the chance to connect with all types of people. -
Jazmin Marai Oviedo Laurel | Athlete
Hometown: Kingsley
Interests, Work, and Hobbies: Jazmin joined Special Olympics when she was in 7th grade and has loved participating in soccer, track, flag football, basketball, volleyball, bowling, bocce, and softball. -
Samuel Kerkaert | Athlete
Hometown: South Sioux City
Interests, Work, and Hobbies: Samuel enjoys playing video games and helping his high school soccer coach.
Impact Statement: Special Olympics has changed Samuel's life because it gave him the opportunity to try soccer which he eventually fell in love with. -
Seth Lusebrink | Athlete
Hometown: South Sioux City
Interests, Work, and Hobbies: When Seth is not playing his favorite sports, soccer and volleyball, he enjoys playing video games.
Impact Statement: Special Olympics has given Seth the opportunity to learn new things, meet new people, and given him the chance to travel to new places. -
Anthony Cardona | Unified Partner
Hometown: South Sioux City
Interests, Work, and Hobbies: Besides soccer, Anthony likes spending time with his friends and family.
Impact Statement: Special Olympics has allowed Anthony to connect with many different types of people and become an overall better person. -
David Montes Jr | Unified Partner
Hometown: South Sioux City
Interests, Work, and Hobbies: David enjoys playing video games, working, and spending time with his family.
Impact Statement: David has been a part of Special Olympics for 8 years and it has influenced him positively. He participates in soccer, basketball, and floor hockey. -
Diego Montes | Unified Partner
Hometown: South Sioux City
Interests, Work, and Hobbies: Diego likes to play soccer, listen to music, and spend time with friends and family.
Impact Statement: Special Olympics has helped Diego become a more social person. -
Nicholas Flores | Unified Partner
Hometown: South Sioux City
Interests, Work, and Hobbies: Nicholas loves playing for the unified soccer team but also participates in unified bowling and bocce."Playing with the unified team is fun, we have a great time. Watching the athletes faces when they do well is so much fun!" -
Marla Grier | Coach
Hometown: South Sioux City
Interests, Work, and Hobbies: Marla enjoys helping athletes gain confidence and build life-long friendships. She values inclusion and personal growth and uses these values to guide how she coaches."I guide and push my athletes and partners to strive for more. I give my unified partners freedom to lead/coach the athletes. The coaching does not all come from me."
Tennis
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Garrett Stipke | Athlete
Hometown: Lincoln
Interests, Work, and Hobbies: Garrett spends a lot of his time practicing, training, and/or playing softball, flag football, soccer, tennis, and basketball."Special Olympics has given me a chance to strive for a better version of myself, to be part of something bigger than myself, as well as given me something to look forward to." -
Haley Waggoner | Athlete
Hometown: Lincoln
Previous Games Appearances:2010 USA Games, 2018 USA Games, 2022 USA Games
Interests, Work, and Hobbies: Haley likes to build Legos, read, and watch tv shows and movies in her free time.
Impact Statement: Special Olympics gave Haley the tools needed to become a more outgoing and confident person. -
Nancy Samson| Coach
Hometown: Omaha
Previous Games Appearances: 2018 USA Games, 2022 USA Games
Interests, Work, and Hobbies: Nancy is a retired teacher who has coached the Tennis Buddies program
for the last 16 years."Each athlete is an individual with needs and aspirations of their own. It is so great to coach athletes that are unselfish and enjoy the sport in its purest form."
Track & Field
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Isiah Pope | Athlete
Hometown: Papillion
Previous Games Appearances: 2014 USA Games, 2018 USA Games, 2022 USA Games
Interests, Work, and Hobbies: Isiah enjoys singing, listening to music, drawing, and video games.
Impact Statement: Special Olympics allowed Isiah to play sports that he was excluded from in high school."I get to meet new people, be physically active, and try new sports." -
Jack Irwin | Athlete
Hometown: Bellevue
Interests, Work, and Hobbies: Jack enjoys singing in the GBM Heartlight choir, listening to his favorite band Queen, traveling, spending time with friends and family, and playing pickleball."Staying active and healthy is very important to me, and Special Olympics is a great way to do that. I've met lots of people, and I like being on a team." -
Rachel Mulligan | Athlete
Hometown: Papillion
Previous Games Appearances: 2017 World Games, 2018 USA Games, 2022 USA Games
Interests, Work, and Hobbies: Rachel works part-time as a peer mentor in the Munroe-Meyer / UNO Trailblazer Program. She also enjoys drawing, modeling clay, Legos, arts & crafts, puzzles, baking, and cooking."I enjoy cheering on my teammates and meeting other athletes from different states." -
Tiffany Goodman | Athlete
Hometown: La Vista
Interests, Work, and Hobbies: Tiffany enjoys hanging out with her friends, traveling, camping, fishing, and singing.
Impact Statement: Special Olympics has taught Tiffany how to work as a team and helped her build self-confidence."I'm always excited to do new things and travel with the team!"
