June 2026 | Vol. 20 Iss. 6
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Draper athletes represent Utah at Special Olympics USA Games in June By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com From hopes of breaking records to building lasting friendships, Utah athletes prepare to compete against the best in the country.
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his June, athletes from across the state will represent Utah on a national stage at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. For many families, the journey is more than medals. Held June 2026 in Minneapolis, the Games will bring together 3,000 athletes, 1,500 coaches and thousands of fans from all 50 states. The competition highlights inclusion, pairing athletes with and without intellectual disabilities and showcasing what’s possible through sport. Team Utah will send 69 delegate members, including 46 athletes, ages 16 and up, and their unified partners, competing in eight of the 16 sports: athletics, bocce, bowling, golf, soccer, swimming, unified basketball (interscholastic) and unified flag football (intercollegiate), said Courtnie Worthen, Special Olympics Utah director of Unified
starting at
In August 2025, Elizabeth Jensen won the state tournament in bowling and will represent Utah at the Special Olympics USA Games. (Photo courtesy of Norma Jensen)
Champion Schools. Among those heading to Minnesota is swimmer Jordan Barlow, who has set a high goal. “I want to set the record in the 50 freestyle; I’m going to swim hard,” said the Draper resident who attends Life Skills Academy in Canyons School District. His mother, Mandy, said his goal is within reach. “He’s right there with the USA Down Syndrome record around 29 seconds; the Special Olympics record is around 26,” she said. “If he gets in the 28s, we’ll be ecstatic.” Barlow trains three to four days per week, balancing practices with his Special Olympics team, the Salt Lake Stars; Team Utah trainings and additional time in the pool with former high school swimmers, including his older sister who helps him with his starts, turns and technique. He will compete in the 50-yard freestyle and 25-yard backstroke, events he qualified for at last June’s Utah Summer Games. For his mother, watching her son compete on a national stage will be emotional, even as
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801-254-4840 1381 W Stone Ridge Lane, Riverton the Games encourage athlete independence. “I’ll be there to watch; we’re already so proud of him,” she said. “He’ll fly with the team and will stay in the dorm, so he’s eating and sleeping with the team.” That independence is a hallmark of Special Olympics as 35-year-old Draper resident Elizabeth Jensen prepares to compete at the USA Games. She will represent Utah as one of four members in bowling. After winning a gold medal in the state tournament in August 2025, Jensen was selected through a lottery of other athletes who qualified. She also qualified in swimming, but chose bowling, her favorite sport, and trains once or twice per week. “I like throwing it fast,” Jensen said about Continued on page 8
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