Plaquemines Parish Special Olympics Athletes Shine at the 2026 USA Games
The entire Louisiana delegation featuring coaches and athletes from basketball, bocce, bowling, swimming, and track & field teams. Our group was called out and recognized by fans from all over for being the best dressed from head to toe. Team Louisiana made us so proud!
Representing Plaquemines Parish on Team Louisiana at the Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota were (from left): Coach Tonya Becnel, Connor Barrilleaux, Sarah St Jean, Nate Hammond, and Madisyn Phillips.
Connor Barrilleaux took home a silver medal in bocce.
Madisyn Phillips took home 3 medals in track and field including a bronze medal in the 200 and 400 runs and a gold medal in the running long jump.
Plaquemines Parish Special Olympics Athletes Shine at the 2026 USA Games
Sarah St. Jean (left) and Nate Hammond (right) both scored a basket each to help the basketball team take home a 4th place medal.
Four athletes and one coach were selected to Team Louisiana to travel to the USA Games in Minnesota. Last week the event was covered by multiple broadcasts companies such as ESPN, CBS, and Fox News. Our Plaquemines group enjoyed a trip of a lifetime flying to Minneapolis and staying in the dorms of the University of Minnesota. In their free time they also took in a Twins/Dodgers game, enjoyed a tr…
