Drake, 41, of Owensboro is making his third trip to the USA Games in his 12 years as a Special Olympics athlete. Drake was part of the basketball team that won a silver medal at the first USA Games in Iowa in 2006 and returned to the court to win a basketball bronze at the 2018 Games in Seattle. Drake has also competed in track, basketball, bowling and softball. He works at Daviess County Transportation.
“I am looking forward to having fun and being with my teammates. I love competition!”
Gamble, 27, of Central City is one of two Muhlenberg County residents on this team. He is also one of seven USA Games first timers on the roster. He has been a Special Olympics athlete for 16 years and has competed in basketball, softball, track and soccer. He works at the Central City Convention Center.
“Going to the USA Games means that my team has succeeded in being good people, not just good athletes. It means everything!”
Caden, 18, of Owensboro is the younger brother of teammate Hunter Glenn. He has competed in Special Olympics for seven years, playing basketball and softball and running track in addition to flag football. He is making his first trip to the USA Games. He works at Elite Air.
Hunter, 20, of Owensboro is teammate Caden Glenn’s older brother. He has competed in Special Olympics for 10 years, and has competed in track, basketball softball and bocce in addition to flag football. He also works at Elite Air.
Hamilton, 45, has built an impressive resume in her 20 years as a Special Olympics athlete. This is her third trip to the USA Games, having won a gold medal in women’s basketball at the 2010 Games in Nebraska and a basketball bronze at the 2018 Games in Seattle. In addition to her USA Games experience, Hamilton was part of a Special Olympics USA basketball team that overcame losing all three pool play games to roar back and win a gold medal at the 2007 World Summer Games in Shanghai, China. As impressive as her athletics achievements have been, her work away from sports may be more impressive. She is a Special Olympics Kentucky Athlete Ambassador and was part of the first class of trained Health Messengers in the program. As a Health Messenger, she started a walking club for her Daviess County Special Olympics program. As an Athlete Ambassador, she was one of the inaugural winners of the Pinnacle Positive Impact Award, which went to a graduate of the Athlete Leadership program who has made an overall positive impact on SOKY. In addition to flag football, she has competed in basketball, softball, bowling and track. She works at Morrison Healthcare.
Lindsey, 30, of Whitesville is making his second trip to the USA Games. Lindsey was a leader on the bronze medal-winning Team Kentucky squad at the 2018 Games in Seattle. He has competed in Special Olympics for 10 years participating in bowling, basketball, softball, track and bocce as well as flag football. Lindsey is also an Athlete Leadership Program graduate and is a SOKY Athlete Ambassador. He works for Special Olympics Kentucky Year-Round Partner Texas Roadhouse.
“I can’t wait to play other teams from across the U.S. and meet new athletes.”
Powers, 23, of Owensboro has been a Special Olympics athlete for 14 years and competed in flag football for two. He also competes in swimming, basketball, track, bowling, softball and equestrian. He is a member of the 2025 Athlete Leadership Program class and will graduate as an Athlete Ambassador in November. Powers also serves as a volunteer fireman. This will be his first time competing at the USA Games.
“I look forward to competing at a higher level against teams across the country. I also can’t wait to make friends. “
Rates, 42, of Hawesville is making his second trip to the USA Games. In 2022 in Orlando Rates won a silver medal in the shot put and then ran an electric third leg of the 4×100 meter relay to secure the gold medal for Team Kentucky in a race that was streamed live on ESPN+. Rates has been involved in Special Olympics since 2003, but took a 13-year break before returning in 2016. He also competes in track, basketball, softball and bowling. He is also an Athlete Ambassador for SOKY.
“It will be a lot of fun, and I can’t wait to meet new people.”
Smith, 28, of Owensboro is also making his first trip to the USA Games. He has been involved in Special Olympics for 20 years, also competing in track, basketball, bowling, bocce and softball. He works at Enterprise Rental Cars as a detailer.
“Special Olympics keeps me healthy and I get to be with my friends.”
Williams, 37, of Central City is one of two Muhlenberg County residents on Team Kentucky, the first two from the county to ever compete at the USA Games. Williams has been a Special Olympics athlete for 27 years and has also participated in bowling, track, softball and soccer. She is also Athlete Ambassador and Health Messenger for Special Olympics Kentucky, and like teammate Jennifer Hamilton was one of the inaugural recipients of the Pinnacle Positive Impact Award.
“Attending the 2026 USA Games is a dream come true! I’m looking forward to making new friends and the whole experience.”
Lindsey, of Whitesville has been coaching Special Olympics teams for three years and will be coaching at his first USA Games. He is Zach Lindsey’s older brother. He has also coached Special Olympics basketball as well as youth football in Daviess County. Lindsey works at Comfortech Heating and Cooling.
“Special Olympics has given me a platform to make sure all athletes are included and get a chance to play in the sports that at one point in their life was just a dream. I have been able to come in and help make those dreams a reality by helping showcase the talent and skill level of all the athletes I coach.”
Newman, of Whitesville has been a Special Olympics coach for three years and will also be coaching at his first USA Games. He is a semi-pro football player.
“Going to the USA Games means the world to me and I look forward to being able to compete and coach to win.”