Meet the USA Games Athletes from Nebraska
Two Nebraska tennis players and their coach will be heading to Florida this summer to compete in the 2022 Special Olympic games. The seven-day event will be held at the USTA Campus in Orlando from June 5-12, 2022.
“Being a coach for Team Nebraska Tennis is such a privilege,” said coach Nancy Samson. “To be able to coach and mentor two outstanding athletes is exciting and heartwarming.”
Haley Waggoner and Patrick McCracken, both from Lincoln, are representing the Cornhusker state. 32-year-old Waggoner has been playing for 15 years and loves to learn different techniques and strategies to improve her tennis game.
“It means a great honor to compete at the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games,” she said. “To compete at a higher level, seeing old and new friends from across the country, and seeing my family watch me play gives me great joy!”
McCracken has been playing for six years and is also looking forward to the trip and representing the state of Nebraska.
“I enjoy meeting the other athletes, and competing in tennis,” he said. “I am honored to play for Nebraska.”
“Haley and Patrick have been training for the games with determination and dedication,” Samson added. “I am honored to be able to guide them and assist them on court as they make a run for the USA Game medals.”
More than 5,500 athletes and coaches from all 50 states and the Caribbean along with 125,000 spectators are expected at this year’s week-long event.
For more on the games, click on this link: https://www.2022specialolympicsusagames.org/
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