Members of the Simsbury High School Unified Sports® basketball team will represent Connecticut at the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games in Orlando, Florida, June 5th - 12th. Teammates who will be going to the Games include sisters Kelsey and Megan Alonzo, Jameson Bodenburg, Avery Dawe, Joey Deliz, Josh Lubetkin, Justin Slattery, Charles Steniger, Maggie Sullivan and John Taggard. The coaches who will be supporting them are Brooke Bulmer and Matt Spector.
Kelsey has been a Unified Sports® basketball and soccer player for five years and has also participated as a soccer mentor. Other pastimes include field hockey, rugby and babysitting. Kelsey says, “I am so excited to proudly represent my school and state. This is an opportunity of a lifetime. I am really looking forward to every minute!"
Megan has been participating in Special Olympics for five years, playing Unified Sports® soccer and basketball, and is a soccer mentor. She is also a member of her school’s floor hockey, basketball and rugby teams. “I can’t wait to work with my team to do our absolute best in the (USA) Games,” Megan says.
Jameson has been involved in Unified Sports® for four years and, along with basketball, plays Unified flag football and Unified soccer. He also enjoys, golf, tennis and playing the violin. “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Jameson says about the Games, adding, “I am thrilled to participate with athletes from all over the country.”
In addition to playing on the school’s Unified basketball team, Avery participates in Unified flag football. He also enjoys wrestling. Other interests include cooking and building things and seeing “how all the pieces go together.” Avery says, “I would like to attend the 2022 USA Games because I want the world to know that just because you have a disability doesn’t mean you can’t chase your dreams. If you work hard, you can achieve anything! I look forward to working as a team and showing what Simsbury High School, Connecticut, can do.”
Joey has been involved in Special Olympics Unified basketball for a year. Other interests include wrestling, football, music and spending time with his family. "I look forward to spending time with my teammates and making memories that we'll remember and can maybe tell our kids one day," says Joey. "Attending the 2022 USA Games means the world to me as I get recognized on a national scale, while team building and practicing," he adds.
This is Josh's first year participating in Unified basketball at Simsbury High School. When he's not playing sports, he enjoys "flying airplanes, videoing and creating forts." What is Josh looking forward to most when he goes to the USA Games? "Being a part of a team with some of my friends," he says.
This is Justin’s first year on the Unified basketball team. In addition to sports, he enjoys video games, drawing and karate. "Being part of the 2022 USA Games makes me overwhelmed with joy and gives me a sense of accomplishment," he says. "It means being part of something bigger than myself and part of a group of athletes. I am looking forward to getting to know my team more and making new friends while at the games."
Charles has been involved in Special Olympics Unified Sports for a year. In addition to Unified basketball, he plays Unified Soccer, Top Soccer and Miracle League Baseball. Along with sports, he enjoys playing video games. Charles is looking forward to a new experience. "I like being on the team to represent Connecticut because I've never done it in my life and I like sports," he says.
In addition to basketball, Maggie plays Unified flag football and Unified soccer with her Simsbury teammates. She also enjoys going for walks and listening to music. "This is an amazing opportunity and I am so excited to be able to play and experience the 2022 USA Games," Maggie says about being a member of the Connecticut delegation.
John, who’s played Unified Sports® for more than six years, participated in the Unified Sports® programs at his elementary and middle schools before coming to Simsbury High School. In addition to Unified basketball, John participates in Unified soccer and flag football. Other interests include hockey, lacrosse and playing the trombone. “I’m excited to help the athletes, and make it an enjoyable experience for everyone,” he says about going to the Games.
