USA Games Athlete Spotlight: Nelda Owen

Hometown: HaysSport: Basketball For more than 30 years, Nelda Owen of Hays has been an active member of Special Olympics Kansas, competing in basketball, track, bowling, volleyball, and, most recently, […]

In June, Team Kansas will represent our state at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games — competing against thousands of athletes from across the country. For many, it’s the biggest moment of their athletic career.

But here’s the reality: getting our team to Minnesota doesn’t happen without serious community support. Travel, uniforms, equipment, meals, and competition fees add up fast. Every dollar raised goes directly toward making sure our athletes can focus on one thing — competing their hearts out.