Special Olympics Oregon Team Excels at 2018 USA Games

Shawn Hinz.

Seattle, WA. The 2018 USA Games are in the books and Team Oregon returned home with eleven gold medals. Champions were crowned in 14 sports during the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games July 1st-6th in Seattle. 4,000 athletes from across the country participated. In swimming, Shawn Hinz won both the 100-meter individual medley and 100-meter breaststroke.

Shawn Hinz taking off from the starting block at the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games

Kimberly Forrer took two golds: 100m Free and 100m Backstroke.

Megan Patrignelli, Hayley Ruck and Molly Muir.

Gold Medal Winners at the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games

Molly Muir: Shot Put
CJ Billings: 50m Backstroke
CJ Billings: 50m Free
Victoria Peckerman: 25m Backstroke
Victoria Peckerman: 50m Backstroke
Victoria Peckerman: 50m Free
Kimberly Forrer: 100m Free
Kimberly Forrer: 100m Backstroke
Shawn Hinz: HP 100m IM
Shawn Hinz: 100m Breaststroke
Dominic Flesey-Assad / Colin Herring: Bocce Unified Doubles

Silver Medal Winners

Hayley Ruck: 1500m Walk
Molly Muir: 400m Walk
Jonah Carrasquer: 200m
Jonah Carrasquer: 400m
CJ Billings: 25m Backstroke
Micah Webb: Bowling, Singles
Kenneth McLoughlin / Kortni Vaughn: Bowling, Doubles
Kenneth McLoughlin, Kortni Vaughn, Christina Williams, Micah Webb: Bowling, Team
Zachary Herrmann: Golf, Level 4

Bronze Medal Winners

Hayley Ruck: 400m Walk
Kimberly Forrer: 200m Free
Kortni Vaughn: Bowling, Singles
Elisabeth Groves / Kaci Linton: Golf, Level 2

Special Olympics Oregon:

Thank you to Microsoft at Pioneer Place for sending our athletes off to Seattle in style! On June 30, Microsoft warmly opened their doors to host the Team Oregon delegation and its community of supporters. From adaptive gaming controllers to VR, several interactive stations were set up to celebrate Microsoft’s dedication to inclusive design. A giant “good luck” sign, inspiring speeches and a tunnel of high-fives created an atmosphere of community support for these truly amazing athletes.

A very special THANK YOU to the parents, grandparents, family, friends, community businesses and more who helped raise over $13,000 in support of Team Oregon. Also, thank you to Nike who provided uniforms, Microsoft for its sponsorship and hosting the Sendoff Party, NW Navigator for providing transportation to and from Seattle, Jersey Mike’s & Papa John’s for providing meals and many others who helped Team Oregon succeed at the 2018 USA Games.

Your donation will help Special Olympics Oregon athletes reach their full potential on and off the field for years to come.

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.