Hometown: Topeka
Sport: Soccer
Gentry Scheid has been part of Special Olympics Kansas for about three years, and his story is one of perseverance, teamwork, and a genuine love for sports. During his time with Special Olympics, Gentry has competed in basketball, track, and powerlifting, with basketball as his favorite sport. He loves staying active, competing, and being part of a team and being involved in Special Olympics has given him the opportunity to continue doing just that.
From the very beginning, Gentry has overcome a lot. When he was just six days old, doctors were unsure if he would leave the hospital, and if he did, they believed he would need a breathing machine for life. Today, he is known for being a hard worker, a strong teammate, and someone who gives his best effort in everything he does.
Beyond Special Olympics, Gentry is highly involved in Unified Sports. He has been selected to play on the Kansas City Sporting Unified soccer team in both 2024 and 2025 and competes in Unified bowling, basketball, soccer, and track at Washburn Rural High School, where he is a senior. Outside of sports, Gentry works as a barista at Dialogue Coffee and as a playologist at the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center. In his free time he enjoys watching football, scrolling TikTok, and spending time with friends.
Gentry is deeply supported by his family including his mom, dad, sister, and three dogs. He credits them for always encouraging him to try new things, even when he complains at first. As he looks forward to a week-long trip to Minnesota filled with soccer, team hangouts, and new friendships, Gentry is excited for the fun, the competition, and the opportunity to connect with others.
