Special Olympics Indiana was founded in 1969. It’s a global nonprofit using sports, health, education and leadership programs to empower people with intellectual disabilities. More than 19,000 athletes and 10,000 coaches and volunteers come together throughout the year to participate in more than a dozen sports, ranging from basketball to cornhole.
They practice, compete and attend the state-level Summer, Fall and Winter Games in Indiana.
This year, four Center Grove athletes have been selected to attend the 2026 USA Games in Minnesota. It’s the Olympics for Special Olympics athletes, held every four years in a different location across the country.
For the past 14 years, Liam Price has been involved in swimming, flag football, basketball, ballroom dancing, track and field, and more.
In 2025, however, he led the way for a new sport in Johnson County’s Special Olympics program — powerlifting.
“I’ve been lifting for the past eight years outside of Special Olympics,” he says. “I gained confidence, built strength, and it helps with anxiety too. It can calm you when you’re feeling anxious. This year, I’ve been leading the way to get powerlifting going in this county.”
Price is currently lifting 465 pounds in deadlift, 385 pounds in squat and 230 pounds in bench press. It’s served him well for conditioning when participating in other sports too.
“I’m excited about USA Games because a lot of my friends in Johnson County will be going there too,” Price says. “There are a lot of new opportunities, and as they arise, I’ll take advantage of them. It helps me grow as a person and also in strength.”
In addition to his athletic endeavors, Price, a University of Indianapolis graduate with a degree in communications, created the Unifying Sports Network. Price, along with co-host and coach Jason Hite from the Special Olympics Johnson County swim team, interviews professional and Special Olympics athletes from around the country.
The mission of the Unifying Sports Network is to motivate, inspire and encourage Special Olympics athletes by spreading the word of inclusion through sports. You can view these interviews on Price’s YouTube channel, @LiamPrice-y2r.
Swimmer Josh McRoberts is coached by Mark Madden for Team Indiana and agrees with Price when it comes to the benefits of Special Olympics.
“I enjoy swimming a lot. It’s interactive and social, and I’ve made some great friends,” McRoberts says. “Swimming also keeps me healthy and fit.”
Many of the athletes have participated in their sport for years but never imagined they’d make it to the USA Games.
For McRoberts, it’s a dream come true.
“It feels like a new chapter in my life,” he says. “I’m proud because I’ve moved on to a national level. I never got that far in high school, and I feel like I’m ready for this.”
For Chelsea Davis, the longest-participating athlete of the four, she’ll be attending USA Games in a special role — coach.
She was introduced to Special Olympics through a friend and tried basketball, softball, swimming, volleyball and bowling.
“I started bowling when I was a little girl and had been part of a league, but after participating for years, I started helping some of the other athletes with techniques and form so they don’t hit the gutter,” Davis says.
She’ll be coaching Team Indiana Bowling, athletes from across the state competing at the national level.
“I love coaching,” she says. “I get to know the athletes and interact with them, and it’s different when you’re an athlete versus a coach. I still go out there and practice with them and help them, but I like watching the team interact and have fun together.”
Eli Hightshue is the fourth Special Olympics athlete attending USA Games from Center Grove. He has participated in swimming, basketball and his favorite — golf.
“I think it’s relaxing and I really enjoy it,” Hightshue says. “I am on a unified team with my dad, but I’ll be playing individual for USA Games. I also work at a golf course and would go play every day if I could.”
Hightshue is participating in the Special Olympics Leadership University program, learning skills to become a coach or to serve in a public speaking role advocating and raising awareness for Special Olympics.
Looking forward, Hightshue says he’s pausing his work in swimming and basketball to practice and prepare for the big event next year.
“We were in Texas when we got the call that I was going to USA Games, and I was shocked,” he says. “This is something I have wanted to do for a long time because I think golfing is fun.”
Hightshue’s mother, Rachel, shared some ways the community can get involved, whether through financial donations or volunteering time.
“One special thing about Special Olympics is they never charge their athletes,” Rachel says. “We have to fundraise to get our athletes to the USA Games, and they rely on donations and volunteering to run the program. All of the coaches are volunteers, and there are lots of ways to get involved. Special Olympics is an amazing organization. Until you experience it, I’m not sure you’d understand. There’s this unbelievable, amazing atmosphere where these athletes exude joy and encourage one another. I can’t say enough about what it’s meant to our entire family.”
To support these four athletes on their journey to USA Games in 2026, visit secure.e2rm.com/p2p/event/390915/en-CA and specify your donation is going toward Johnson County.
