Central Oregon athletes are gearing up to compete in the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota, following a send-off celebration in Redmond. Team Oregon qualified for the national competition by winning the 2024 state championship.
Community Support
The send-off event in Redmond gathered community members, law enforcement, and local officials to celebrate over a dozen athletes and their families heading to the games. Christian Schoen, a forward for the High Desert Devils, expressed his appreciation for the community’s support.
Lt. Jay Minton of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office shared his perspective on supporting the athletes. Coach Josh Nordell of the High Desert Devils spoke about the deep bonds within the team, noting that many of the athletes have known each other for decades since high school.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
