Brinkman, 25, of Union returns to the USA Games for the second time after an incredible debut on the national stage in Orlando in 2022. Brinkman grabbed medals in each of her three events including individual gold in the 50-yard backstroke and team gold in the 4×50-yard medley relay. She earned a bronze in the 50-yard freestyle. She has been a Special Olympics athlete for 8 years, competing in track, softball and bowling in addition to swimming. Brinkman is also an Athlete Ambassador for SOKY. She works for Year-Round Partner Texas Roadhouse in Florence.

“Special Olympics has changed my life by keeping me active and I enjoy making new friends. I like to be involved in sporting events and volunteer when I can.”

Chaney, 18, of Taylorsville is making his USA Games debut in Minneapolis. He is the first athlete from Spencer County to compete at the USA Games. Chaney has been involved in Special Olympics for six years. He got his start in the program as a swimmer but has also competed in bowling and track and field. As a student at Spencer County High School, he participated in KHSAA Unified track and field, earning three gold medals, a silver and a bronze at the state track and field meet.

“I am very excited to join a new team and meet new people. I feel very special that I was chosen to go to USA Games.”

Hale, 22, of Crestwood is competing at his third consecutive USA Games. In 2018 in Seattle, he won gold in the 100-yard freestyle and silver in the 50-yard backstroke. He also helped Team Kentucky claim a bronze in the 4×50-yard medley relay. In 2022 he won an individual bronze in the 200-yard freestyle and played a key role on Team Kentucky’s gold medal-winning 4×50-yard medley relay team. Hale has been a Special Olympics athlete for 12 years, focusing solely on swimming. He is a 2019 graduate of the SOKY Athlete Leadership Program and is an Athlete Ambassador. Hale earned an Associate’s Degree from Jefferson County Community and Technical College. He works as a lifeguard at the Oldham County YMCA.

“It is a great honor to represent my state at the highest level and compete against the best swimmers in the country. I look forward to my hard work paying off with the ultimate goal of winning gold.”

Widener, 19, of Burlington will be making her first trip to the USA Games. She got her start in Special Olympics at 7 years old in the Young Athletes Program and competed in track before switching her focus to swimming. Widener is a graduate of Cooper High School where she swam on the school’s swim team.

“Swimming at the Special Olympics USA Games means so much to me—it’s not just about competing but enjoying every moment of training and being with my team and meeting new people. It’s about showing what’s possible when you believe in yourself. Being selected as part of Team Kentucky is already a dream come true. My next dream would be to swim my personal best and possibly even make it to the Special Olympics World Games someday. I want to use this opportunity to spread the word that even with a disability, you can achieve your goals.”