Sport: Swimming
Hometown: Lawrence, Kansas
Team: Special Olympics Kansas
Meet Victoria VanAlstine, a multi-talented athlete from Lawrence who is turning her lifelong dream into reality by competing in Swimming at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games!
Victoria has been involved with Special Olympics for 12 years, participating in an incredible range of sports including snowshoeing, basketball, cheerleading, track & field, soccer, bowling, swimming, powerlifting, flag football, volleyball, cornhole, and golf. She’s also proud to serve as an Athlete Leader, using her voice and experience to inspire others.
Before joining Special Olympics, Victoria says she struggled to make friends and didn’t feel confident in sports. Now, she’s proud to call herself a competitive swimmer and is excited to represent Kansas on the national stage. “Attending USA Games means I get to make my dreams a reality,” she says. “I’m looking forward to meeting teammates, other athletes, coaches, and Unified partners from across the country.”
Victoria’s preparing for the Games through training with her coach and fundraising to support her journey. Off the field, she works at Wendy’s as a crew member, handling food prep, dishes, and dining room service. She also loves singing, cooking, crafts, and can recite lines from SpongeBob SquarePants like a pro!
She draws strength from her biggest supporters: her mom, grandma, and fiancé Andrew, who she says truly understand and support her every day.
We can’t wait to cheer Victoria on as she dives into her first-ever USA Games!
