Hometown: Arkansas City
Sport: Golf
Nancy Misasi has been a dedicated Special Olympics athlete for nearly 20 years, competing in a wide range of sports including basketball, cheerleading, track and field, flag football, bowling, swimming, golf, and softball. Her long-standing commitment to Special Olympics has helped shape her confidence, skillset, and passion for sport.
Nancy says Special Olympics has “changed my life for the better.” Through competition and training, she has gained new skills, discovered strengths she didn’t know she had, and found motivation to stay active and healthy. One of Nancy’s biggest accomplishments is learning to advocate for herself. She also worked hard to build trust with new coaches and teammates, something she now considers one of her greatest areas of personal growth.
Nancy is incredibly proud of how much progress she’s made over the past year, both on and off the golf course. Being selected to represent Special Olympics Kansas at the 2026 USA Games is a dream come true, and she’s excited to compete in Minneapolis with her teammates. Nancy played golf all four years of high school and spent two years on the girls’ soccer team—including the year the program first launched. Off the field, she has worked as a para in her district’s preschool for 7.5 years, a role she loves.
Nancy is active in her community as a member of the Kiwanis Club in Winfield and has volunteered as a chaperone for Key Leader at Rock Springs 4-H Camp. She enjoys drawing, painting, coloring, knitting, and is learning to crochet. She also loves to travel. She has already visited 35 states, with Minnesota becoming number 36.
Nancy holds deep admiration for her former coach and team coordinator, Kathy, who passed away in 2020. Kathy played a major role in teaching Nancy many of the sports she competes in today.
This is Nancy’s first-ever USA Games, and her first sporting event outside Kansas. She is thrilled for the opportunity and is looking forward to having fun, competing, and making unforgettable memories. Nancy is training by practicing regularly on the golf course and in her backyard. She meets with her local coach and will continue working closely with Team Kansas coaches as USA Games approaches.
