Ten local athletes will compete on a national stage this weekend in the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota.

The Douglas County Special Olympics program has over 103 athletes, and sending 10 athletes to the USA Games is a strong number for the Douglas County program.

“I don’t know if it’s uncommon for the state of Kansas, but it’s certainly uncommon for our county,” said Jacqui Folks, the program coordinator for Special Olympics Douglas County.

The sport of flag football is certainly growing nationally, and Douglas County is no different. Six Lawrence athletes are part of the flag football team, which is coached by three of the Douglas County program coaches: Mark McMillin, Charlie Mills and Gary Tanner.

“As a club, we haven’t even had it for maybe 10 years, so it’s a relatively new sport,” Folks said. “To go from conceptual to a national stage, I think, is major for our flag football program.”

Rickey Danberry is one of the six flag football team members and is a regular volunteer at his local library when he’s not competing in sports. This will be his second time at the Olympics — he competed in track and field in 2006.

Colin Hughes, whose inspiration to play flag football comes from Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, will compete in the Special Olympics for the first time. When not competing in sports, Hughes is taking care of farm animals.

CJ Mills has competed in a plethora of sports but will be on the flag football team in Minnesota, which will be his first time at the USA Games. Having been involved in Special Olympics for over 20 years, Mills is passionate about sports and being active.

Skyler McMillin competed in the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games as a powerlifter, where he took home two gold and two silver medals. But this year, McMillin will be competing in flag football.

Brady Tanner is an athlete of many different sports, but at the Special Olympics USA Games, he’ll be with the flag football team. He’s an accomplished powerlifter, having represented Kansas in national and international competitions.

Tim Trowbridge is the sixth member of the flag football team from Douglas County and another multi-sport athlete. Whether it’s biking or competing in various sports, Trowbridge stays active. When he’s not, he volunteers with his local American Legion post.

Jennifer Goff will compete in bocce for her first-ever Special Olympics USA Games, but she’s a regular in numerous sports with Special Olympics. Goff is also an athlete leader, which has given her leadership training.

Megan Miller will compete in cornhole at the USA Games as she represents her state. An assistant teacher at a daycare center when she’s not competing, Miller has been involved with Special Olympics for a long time and has competed in many sports, with basketball being her favorite.

Ethan Folks started his Special Olympics tenure in bowling but will compete in swimming at the 2026 USA Games. This will be Folks’s first time at the USA Games after having been a part of Special Olympics for a decade.

Victoria VanAlstine will swim for her first-ever USA Games appearance. When she’s not working at her job at Wendy’s, VanAlstine is an athlete leader and multi-sport athlete with Special Olympics.

The Special Olympics USA Games will have three thousand athletes and 1,500 coaches in the weeklong competition.

The USA Games is a major event every four years, but Special Olympics programs are active competing in sports from January through November. The Douglas County program has continued to develop, especially with the “Baby Jays” club geared toward bringing younger athletes into Special Olympics.

“We have seen that Baby Jays program grow to where they were able to participate in their own basketball tournament this spring in Emporia,” Jacqui Folks said.

All events will be streamed live through ESPN+, and the opening and closing ceremonies will also be streamed on Disney+ as well. Folks said that she’s seen a greater inclusion and embracing of Special Olympics beyond just participation over the years from the community, and that having national entities like ESPN streaming the event shows the growth the games have on a large scale.

The games start with the opening ceremony at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday.