2026 Special Olympics USA Games
Team New Mexico and the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games
The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games took place June 20–26, 2026. The Special Olympics USA Games brought together an estimated 3,000 athletes, 1,500 coaches, 10,000+ volunteers and 75,000 fans from all 50 states.
Team New Mexico took a 49-member delegation, including 30 Special Olympics athletes, to represent New Mexico at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. Additionally, Team New Mexico sent one Special Olympics athlete and one staff member to attend the Adult Athlete Leadership Experience. Team New Mexico athletes competed in athletics (track & field), basketball, bocce and bowling throughout competition week.
Team New Mexico’s official medal count was 28. Because several medals were won in team events, New Mexico athletes collectively brought home 37 medals. Beyond the competition, friendships were made, teamwork was strengthened, and the team has many stories to share and memories that will last a lifetime. Congratulations, Team New Mexico!
2026 Special Olympics USA Games Website
Awards
Meet Team New Mexico
Team New Mexico is comprised of 30 athletes, 7 coaches, 1 Adult Athlete Leader, 2 Unified Champion Schools® students, and 9 staff. The delegation will compete in 4 of the 16 Olympic-type sports offered at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, including athletics, basketball, bocce and bowling.
Athletics
Aaron Aguilar
Rebecca Amador
Ben Blewett
Eboni Dixon
Gracie Flanagan
Tim Harris
James Keefner
Bella Sieberg
Basketball
Dominique Archibeque
Jess Balling
Michael Cannizzio
Anthony Cole
Chris Dixon
Reed Gallinger
Jamar McDaniel
James Santillanes
Kameron Smith
Gabriel Velasquez
Bocce
John Aaron Cliff
Gabriel Groff
Desiree Hanson
Ryan Hanson
Sapphire Hayes
Connie Hoffman
Caitlin House
Jeffrey Ramirez
Bowling
Keith Covarrubia
Alize Ford
Jonathan Leon Guerrero
Lauren Swartsell
Adult Athlete Leadership Experience
Shiv Patel
Shane Flanagan
AALE Mentor
Unified Champion Schools® Youth Leadership Experience
Riley Martin
Lucy Limon
Marisa Cogan
YLE Mentor
Coaches
Chris Castillo
Head Coach, Athletics
Nutan Patel
Assistant Coach, Athletics
Del Dixon
Head Coach, Basketball
PJ Magee
Assistant Coach, Basketball
Patrick Kirksey
Head Coach, Bocce
Cindy House
Assistant Coach, Bocce
April Leon Guerrero
Head Coach, Bowling
Richie Wirtemburg
Sport Manager, Basketball
Support Staff
Jena Waddell
Head of Delegation
Samantha Swann
Assistant Head of Delegation
Scott Hardy
Assistant Staff
Barbara Love
Assistant Staff
Ben Vigil
Assistant Staff
Gary Chavez
Medical
Media Information
Media Contact
For media inquiries related to Team New Mexico and the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, please contact Becks Rainsberger.