We are not just athletes. We are the ambassadors of an uprising.
Peaceful protestors in rebellion against anyone who has a fear of
difference. Our demands are equality, dignity and a recognition of our
shared humanity. We will not stop or accept anything less. We are
deserving. When we compete we are fighting for a more inclusive world. We
are champions on the field and for this cause. Today our world is more
divided than ever and coming together has never been more urgent. The
revolution is inclusion and it is not optional.
Caleb Prewitt
Home: Duval County
Involved with with Special Olympics Florida since 2011.
Participates in: Triathlon, Golf
Caleb has been part of Special Olympics Florida for 13 years, starting with the Young Athletes program. He competes in multiple sports but is best known as a triathlete. A resident of Jacksonville, Caleb captured a silver medal at the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games. He was the youngest member of the tri team and is the youngest person with Down syndrome to complete a full-sprint triathlon. He’s also been invited to the 2024 World Triathlon Championships in Australia. He is a USA Triathlon Foundation Ambassador and has amassed a sizable following on Instagram.
James Holder
Home: Brevard County
Involved with with Special Olympics Florida since 2005.
Participates in: Surfing, Swimming, Stand Up Paddle and more
James is an Athlete Leader and a Health Messenger and has a passion for eating healthy and staying fit. He is a powerful advocate for the Special Olympics mission, spreading the word to community leaders and elected officials.
Monica Hernandez
Home: Seminole County
Involved with with Special Olympics Florida since 1996.
Participates in:
Bowling, Swimming, Cycling, Volleyball and more
Monica is a committed Athlete Leader and Vice Chair for the Athlete Leadership Council. Monica says Special Olympics made her feel confident and capable. To help other athletes, she became a Tier 2 track and field coach. She is also a Special Olympics Global Messenger and speaks regularly to groups about the Special Olympics mission.
Shane Patty
Home: Okaloosa County
Involved with with Special Olympics Florida since 2019.
Participates in:
Softball, Track & Field, Golf
Since joining Special Olympics Florida, Shane
has excelled in several sports
and quickly made a name for himself as a talented and committed competitor. In 2024, he was named the All Sports Association Special Olympics Athlete of the Year at the 55thAll Sports Association Awards Banquet and Silent Auction held at the Emerald Coast Convention Center. Shane, who received his award from NFL Pro Bowler and FSU star Warrick Dunn, has an impressive resume off the field, as well. He is an accomplished singer who is currently studying at the University of West Florida.
Chris Nikic
Home: Seminole County
Involved with with Special Olympics Florida since 2011.
Participates in: Triathlon, Athletics, Golf, and more
Chris grew up with people regularly telling him what he couldn’t do. Fortunately, he ignored them. In
November 2020, Chris made history, becoming the first person with Down
syndrome to complete a full IRONMAN race. That’s a 2.4-mile open-water
swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile marathon. He’s become
an inspiration for people with intellectual disabilities around the
world, and his story has been featured on ESPN, network television, and
in The New York Times. Chris is now a sought-after motivational speaker. Ask
him about his achievements, and Chris will happily tell you how Special
Olympics Florida helped make them possible. It gave him a place to feel
accepted and surrounded him with people who celebrated his abilities. “Special Olympics’ gift to me,” he says, “was inclusion.”
Billy Klingensmith
Home: Indian River County
Involved with with Special Olympics Florida since 2012.
Participates in: Cycling, Swimming, Basketball
Billy lives
to cycle. He picked up the sport eight years ago, and, since then has
been turning heads with his commitment and world-class work ethic. He won
cycling gold medals in four consecutive State Games, taking home the
top prize in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. Last year, he conquered the Amerithon Challenge, cycling 3,521 miles -– the distance from San
Franscisco to Washington, D.C. -- over the course of several months. He
began in June, cycling 25-30 miles a day, mostly around his
neighborhood. Billy, who’s set a goal of running 2,021 miles in 2021,
says he wants to show people with intellectual disabilities can do
remarkable things if they’re only given the chance. “I'm
trying to break all these barriers,” he said. “Anybody in the Special
Olympics can do this with the support of your family and friends around
you.”
Layla Crehan
Home: Broward County
Involved with with Special Olympics Florida since 2014.
Participates in: Stand Up Paddle, Swimming, Basketball
Layla loves
to compete. The challenge, the travel, all of it. She’s won multiple
Special Olympics gold medals in swimming and is a Sunshine State Games
gold medalist in Stand Up Paddle. She participates in eight
different sports. But
ask her what the best part of Special Olympics Florida is, and she’s
quick to tell you: Making friends and finding a group of people she
feels comfortable with. Layla has autism and wrestles with anxiety. But all that melts away when she’s around other Special Olympics athletes. “We
got involved with Special Olympics Florida because we wanted her to be
part of a group,” says her mom. “We ended up getting a second family out
of it.”
Brittany Tagliareni
Home: Seminole County
Involved with with Special Olympics Florida since 2007.
Participates in: Tennis, Softball
It’s
easy to get overwhelmed by Brittany’s accomplishments: A top-ranked
tennis player, multiple Special Olympics USA Games appearances, three Special Olympics World Games
appearances, gold medal winner, honorary ESPY winner. Her story has been featured on ESPN, Good Morning America, and The Tennis Network. It’s
a remarkable resume and one that serves to inspire Special Olympics
athletes everywhere. Brittany wants everyone to have the opportunities
she’s had –- the chance to break barriers and upend expectations
for people with intellectual disabilities. “My
life has changed a lot since I’ve been playing tennis with Special
Olympics -- making new friends and competing around the world. It changed
my life completely and positively forever.”
Analyssa Reed
Home: Osceola County
Involved with with Special Olympics Florida since 2011.
Analyssa
has been with Special Olympics Florida for more than half her life. She
joined Special Olympics Young Athletes at age 3, because her parents thought
it would help her physically and developmentally. Through
activities like balancing, running, jumping, and throwing Analyssa
became more confident and independent. She began completing obstacles
courses on her own and started to set aside her walker. Her
mom says Analyssa, who has autism, Down syndrome, and epilepsy, made
friends and learned about teamwork. Being part of Special Olympics
Florida, she said, changed her daughter's life. “With programs like these,” she said, “our eyes are open to endless possibilities.”
Jacob Sare
Home: Pinellas County
Involved with with Special Olympics Florida since 2004.
Jacob
has been part of Special Olympics Florida since he was 9 years old. He
came to us as a basketball player, but a single sport was never going to
be enough for him. Today, he also competes in bowling, soccer, bocce,
athletics and equestrian. He
serves as an Athlete Leader, a Global Messenger and a Health Messenger.
He is a compelling speaker and an effective advocate for people with
intellectual disabilities. He was our 2020 Athlete of the Year. Jacob understands and
embraces the transformational power of simple kindness. Whether he’s
helping his neighbors carry their groceries or encouraging a fellow
athlete, Jacob is driven by his desire to help the people around him.
Aarushi Pratap
Home: Hillsborough County
Involved with with Special Olympics Florida since 2016.
Participates in: Bowling, Swimming, Stand Up Paddle
Aarushi
is well known in her high school. She’s the young woman who draws,
creates her own fashions, sews, and competes in some half-a-dozen
sports. She’s
constantly working on new projects, driven by an innate creativity that
never lacks for ideas. She was one of nine students across the
country to have her artwork integrated into the 2022 Special
Olympics USA Games logo. In 2019, she created a custom gown for auction at a
Special Olympics Florida fundraiser. A part of Special Olympics Florida since 2017, Aarushi has competed in everything from bocce to swimming to powerlifting. “I’ve made so many friends, and had so much fun,” she says. “Participating in Special Olympics makes me more confident.”
Kenyatta Johnson
Home: St. Lucie County
Involved with with Special Olympics Florida since 2001.
Participates in: Golf, Basketball, Tennis
Kenyatta’s
skills on the golf course have taken her around the world. She’s been
with Special Olympics for more than 30 years, competing in World Games
in both Abu Dhabi and Athens. She’s
become a coach and an advocate for people with disabilities, which is
remarkable considering she was once a shy young woman uncomfortable
speaking around other people. But Kenyatta says Special Olympics Florida
helped her emerge from her shell. It
gave her confidence and surrounded her with people who supported
her. Special Olympics became her place to feel accepted and included...and that made all the difference. "My
county coordinator used to say, 'When you came back (from the World
Games), you were a different person,' " she says “Special Olympics is
good, not only for the sports, but for learning about yourself and
being around people where you can be yourself."
Malcom Harris–Gowdie
Home: St. Lucie County
Involved with with Special Olympics Florida since 2005.
Participates in: Basketball, Bowling, Golf
Malcom
knows more about sports than you do. This is undisputable. The longtime
Special Olympics athlete devours scores and stats for a sports report
he produces every day. It’s all part of his long-term plan to become a
full-time sportscaster. Malcom,
who has autism and cerebral palsy, has already served as a special
correspondent for CBS12 in West Palm Beach covering the New York Mets
spring training. He’s appeared on Radio Row during the run up to the
Super Bowl and was a special guest at the ESPY awards in Los Angeles. A
competitor in basketball, bowling, golf, and athletics, Malcom was
Special Olympics
Florida - St.
Lucie County’s Athlete of the Year in 2010. As a young
boy, he’d watch games with the television on mute and do his own
play-by-play. “I
just want to have a voice and share my experience,” he says. “I want
people to know anything is possible if you set your mind to it.”
Andy Miyares
Home: Miami-Dade County
Involved with with Special Olympics Florida since 1992.
Participates in: Swimming, Tennis, Bowling
Andy
is a world-class swimmer. Over more than two decades, he’s won hundreds
of medals and set dozens of records. He’s visited the White House,
traveled the world, and met swimming superstar Michael Phelps. But for
as talented as he is in the pool, Andy is just as impressive as a
Special Olympics Florida Global Messenger. He’s spoken to audiences across the
globe about the importance of inclusion and the benefits of staying fit.
He’s even got his own catchphrase: “Andy is my name, swimming is my game, and Special Olympics is my life.” He shows everyone that people with intellectual disabilities are capable of
incredible things, and he knows Special Olympics is about much more
than sports. “It means old friends and new friends,” he says. “It gives me confidence and courage.”
Victor Wright
Home: Orange County
Involved with with Special Olympics Florida since 2016.
Participates in: Swimming and Bowling
Victor
always had a pretty simple wish. He just wanted to be included – to be
“just another cool kid.” But his Asperger’s diagnosis made that
challenging until he found Special Olympics Florida. It gave him a
place to fit in and develop his talent as a swimmer. A winner of
multiple medals, Victor was the Autism Society of Greater Orlando’s 2019
Male Athlete of the Year. He now competes on his high school swim team,
lettering in 2021. "Being part of Special Olympics Florida has boosted my confidence and made it easier for me to interact with peers
who don’t have an intellectual disability." He’s become so well known in
his home of Winter Garden, he’s developed a following on Instagram.
Victor has fulfilled his wish of becoming “just another cool kid.”
Tristen Bresnahan
Home: Osceola County
Involved with with Special Olympics Florida since 2006.
Participates in: Basketball, Softball, Swimming, Running, Triathlon, and Powerlifting
Tristen Bresnahan
has always been pretty powerful. At just two months old, he fought off
viral meningitis. Ever since then, he’s been proving just how strong
Special Olympics athletes can be. Today,
he’s an elite powerlifter who collected three gold medals and one
silver medal at the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games. He’s competed
across the country, using those events as a platform to break records
and shatter stereotypes about autism. Tristen
is a successful college student, studying theater and
drama online and carrying a 3.5 grade-point average. Ultimately, he
wants to get his degree from a school like the University of Central
Florida or Penn State. Tristen said, "I became serious about lifting several years ago to prove to
people that I could be a very good athlete, just like competitors
without autism."
Nasif Ali
Home: Miami-Dade County
Involved with with Special Olympics Florida since 2002.
Participates in:
Golf, Basketball, Flag Football, Track and Field, Soccer, Swimming, and more
Nasif Ali is an all-around athlete. He participates in many sports, but he’s best known as an elite long-distance runner. In 2014, he competed in the Special Olympics USA Games and, that same year, made history: Nasif became the first Special Olympics athlete ever to complete the Miami Half Marathon, with a time of 1:58.
Off the track –- and the court, and the field –- Nasif is a Special Olympics Athlete Leader. He’s become an advocate for his fellow athletes and all people with intellectual disabilities, working to ensure they receive all the opportunities they deserve.
"I know how happy I am being a Special Olympics Florida athlete,” he
says. “And I want that for others, so they can get off the sofa and come
out meet new friends, participate in community events, and learn new
things."
Sam Grosjean
Home: Santa Rosa County
Involved with with Special Olympics Florida since 2012.
Participates in:
Basketball, Bowling, Athletics, Cycling, Swimming, Stand Up Paddle
Just reading Sam Grosjean’s list of sports and activities can be exhausting. He swims, he paddle boards, he kayaks. He’s bowls, plays basketball, bikes, and competes in track. Not bad for a guy who is paralyzed from the hips down and has lived with medical issues all his life. Sam has too much fun to be held back. He’s fearless, willing to try just about anything and eager to challenge himself physically. He’s also a social butterfly who loves meeting people as much as he enjoys competing.
Being part of Special Olympics Florida helps Sam makes those human connections. He’s built a terrific network of friends and learned he’s capable of great things. Sam graduated from high school in June 2021 and is now studying culinary arts at a local vocational center. He’s had his share of challenges, but his mom says he’s faced them with a "happy, easygoing attitude. He enjoys life, and the people in his life."
Like many people with intellectual disabilities, Samantha was never expected to become an elite athlete. Diagnosed at the age of 2 with autism, doctors told her mother, Karina, she might never walk and almost certainly wouldn’t play sports. Samantha and Karina took note of those opinions and set about proving them wrong. Samantha received intensive therapy and, over time, her balance improved. She joined Special Olympics Florida about six years ago and learned to swim.
Then she began attending road races with Karina, an accomplished long-distance runner. Somewhere along the line, Samantha decided she wanted to begin running with her mom, so the two began training. It was hard, she said, but running “made me happy.” She started with short distances, gradually adding mileage and racking up ribbons. In early October, Samantha completed her biggest challenge to date: She ran a virtual Boston Marathon –- 26.2 miles. In November, she’ll head north to compete in person in the New York City Marathon.
"Never give up on your child,” says Karina. “You don’t know what they can do, until you give them a chance."
Nicole Hogan
Home: Orange County
Involved with with Special Olympics Florida since 2004.
Participates in:
Swimming, Athletics (track & field), Basketball, and Bowling
Nicole Hogan embodies what makes Special Olympics Florida athletes so amazing. She loves to compete and participates in athletics, basketball, bowling, and swimming. She’s a Special Olympics USA Games champion, having won a gold medal in swimming at the 2018 Games in Seattle.
But sports are just part of Nicole’s life. She’s a Special Olympics Health Messenger and a budding Athlete Leader. She’s also been a Publix associate since 2015. Whether in the pool, on the court, or sharing fitness tips with fellow athletes, Nicole is all about making connections. "I enjoy helping others,” she says."
