East Jessamine High Student to Represented Kentucky at Special Olympics USA National Games Collin Lutz Selected to Team Kentucky for 2010 Games
Nicholasville Special Olympics athlete Collin Lutz has been selected to Team Kentucky for the 2010 Special Olympics USA National Games which are set to be held July 18-23, 2010, in Lincoln, Neb.
Lutz, 17, will be a part of the Team Kentucky swimming delegation. A student at East Jessamine High School, Lutz will swim two individual races and one relay at the Games. Lutz, who has been a Special Olympics athlete for 10 years, qualified for selection thanks to a Gold Medal in the 100-meter backstroke at the 2009 Special Olympics Kentucky State Summer Games. This will be his first time competing above the State event level.
The 2010 Special Olympics USA National Games will be only the second USA National Games the organization has ever held. The first Special Olympics USA National Games were held in July 2006 in Ames, Iowa. Kentucky athletes claimed 42 medals at those Games, including 19 Gold Medals. Mike Minning of Taylor Mill, Ky., was presented the first Gold Medal in Special Olympics USA National Games history after winning his division of the 10,000-meter run on the first day of competition at the 2006 Games.
“I am excited about having the opportunity to once again send a team to represent this state at the Special Olympics USA National Games,” said Special Olympics Kentucky Executive Vice President Trish Mazzoni. “This is always a great experience for both our athletes and our coaches. I know we have a team that will compete well and represent Kentucky well in all of our events. I know they are all ready to get going right away.”
The cost of sending the 54-person Team Kentucky contingent to the National Games is expected to exceed $60,000 to include the cost of uniforms, training, transportation, housing, equipment and meals. Sponsorship opportunities are available for individuals or companies interested in supporting athletes form their local communities or the broader Team Kentucky effort.
The first step for Team Kentucky will be a team National Games camp that will be held in Lexington March 19-21.
For more information about Special Olympics Kentucky’s participation in the 2010 USA National Games or for information about financial support for the National Games athletes, contact Trish Mazzoni, Special Olympics Kentucky Executive Vice President, at 800-633-7403 or via e-mail at tmazzoni@soky.org.
Special Olympics is the world’s largest program of sports training and competition for children and adults with mental disabilities. Participation is open to all individuals eight years of age or older. Training and competition in local, area, state, and national programs is offered year-round in Kentucky in 15 sports.
