One of the highlights of any serious athlete’s career is the opportunity to compete against top athletes from around the globe.  Twelve athletes from Oregon will have that opportunity in February 2009, as they were chosen to represent the state as part of Special Olympics Team USA for the upcoming 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Boise, Idaho.  More than 3,000 athletes from 85 countries will compete at these Games.

The athletes listed below were chosen at random from a drawing of gold medalists from the recent 2008 Special Olympics Oregon Winter Games in Bend.  Some alternates were also chosen - should a selected athlete be unable to attend.  

Important Dates:

Special Olympics Team USA Training Camp - Copper Mountain, Colorado - December 3-7, 2008

2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games - Boise, Idaho - February 6-13, 2009

Official Website: www.2009worldgames.org

Selected Alpine Skiers:

• Advanced Male - Nolan Carlson, Wasco/Sherman
• Intermediate Male - Jamie Ingraham, Eugene/Springfield
• Advanced Female - Jennifer Deras, Washington
• Intermediate Female - Jocelyn Christin, Clackamas

Selected Snowboarders:

• Male - Dylan Brace, Multnomah
• Female - Ashley Medlock, Multnomah

Selected XC skiers:

• Male 1 - Tommy Hamilton, Jr., Milton-Freewater
• Male 2 - Gerald Grisham, Multnomah
• Female 1 - Jillian Smalley, Hermiston
• Female 2 - Elizabeth Bostrom, Clackamas  

Selected Snowshoers:

• Male - Callan Campbell - Eugene/Springfield
• Female - Elizabeth Davis-Medlin, Eugene/Springfield

Alternate Alpine Skiers:

• Advanced Male - Richard Bledsoe, Eugene/Springfield
• Advanced Female - Molly Looney, Multnomah
• Intermediate Female - Mandi Durfee, Union

Alternate Snowboarder:

• Male - Ty Rains, Washington

Alternate XC skiers:

• Alternate Male - James Parent, Washington
•  Alternate Female - Marla Kleinheinz, Clackamas  

Alternate Snowshoers:

• Male - Joshua Caccavano, High Desert
• Female - Kori Barnett, High Desert