Spring/Summer 2026

It was a whirlwind week at the USA Games

in Minneapolis, Minnesota!

June 20-26, 2026

Team Virginia “Splash” -- Akhilesh Savand, Heather Becraft, Tyler Bernreuther, and Megan Shepard, Head Coach Joy Cavagnaro, and Coach Frank Millikan from Area 23 -- made Virginia and Loudoun County proud last week at the Special Olympics USA Games. Energized by their "Team Splash Strong Song" and encouraged by the enthusiastic cheering from their families and fans, our Area 14 athletes earned the following individual and team awards:

• Silver - Akhil - 50 yd freestyle
• Bronze - Akhil -100 yd individual medley
• Bronze -Team Virginia - 4x50 yd relay, with Tyler swimming the butterfly leg and Akhil as anchor swimming the freestyle leg
• 5th -Tyler - 50 yd butterfly and 100 yd freestyle

Akhil shared that he enjoyed being able to compete in the USA Games, saying that it was a great experience. He valued being in a team with Tyler, Heather and Megan. His favorite part of the USA Games was winning the medals, especially the Silver in the 50 freestyle. He met and competed against Jack McRoberts from Indiana who won the Gold by a fraction of a second in the 50 freestyle. Akhil shared, "I am so happy to have competed against him in that race." He added that he wants to win Gold next time. When asked about meeting other athletes and observing other sports, he reported that he and Patrick Callow of Delaware always shook hands when they saw each other, and he was able to catch a basketball game during his time at the USA games. Akhil's family - Mom, Dad, Grandmother, sister and brother-in-law shared that they enjoyed the whole experience and will cherish these memories forever.

Tyler formed a tight bond with his teammates and coaches. He had an amazing experience and swam his heart out, including a personal best in the 50 butterfly beating his personal best by 3 seconds. He shared that his favorite part about the games was making new friends and connections with his Virginia team and other state swimmers and the great swimming competition as it helped him swim faster. He also really enjoyed all of the activities such as the Opening Ceremony, the closing ceremony dance, the "Fun Fest" evening and watching the Toy Story movie with all of the athletes. He also enjoyed the food, especially lunch. He enjoyed trading state pins with swimmers and coaches from other states. He was able to watch the unified basketball game between Oregon and Arizona. A reminder from Tyler: "Be Yourself. Own your story, keep doing what you love and be proud of what you've achieved."

Both Tyler and Akhil were excited to meet Tim Shriver and Olympic Gold Medalist Rowdy Gaines. Team Splash was also honored too have Virginia's First Gentleman make a special visit to the pool and take a picture with the team.

Coach Wilson also had an incredible week at the USA Games. Congratulations go to Area 26 athlete Michael Long and his partner Joe Long for winning the Silver medal in the Level 2 golf competition. SOVAL athletes will celebrate them at Top Golf on Monday!

Visit our SmugMug site for more photos and videos from the USA Games!

You can watch the 4x50 relay here on YouTube.

Spring Sports

The Spring Sports season for Special Olympics Virginia - Loudoun (SOVAL) started in late March and completed its season on June 7th at the Summer Games in Richmond. Spring Program included 20 program offerings with over 225 participating athletes. The programs took place at various fields and facilities throughout Loudoun County in communities in the East, South and West.The sports programs included:

• Athletics (Track and Field)
• Bocce
• Bowling
• Cycling
• Dance
• Fitness
• Pickleball
• Softball
• Softball Skills
• Swimming
• Tennis
• Top Golf

Visit the SOVAL SmugMug albums to see the fun!

Summer Games

On June 5-7, SOVAL sent a delegation of 75 athletes, coaches, and volunteers to participate in the Summer State Games in Richmond. Our sports teams that competed at the games were Athletics (Track and Field), Bowling, Softball, Swimming and Tennis. Athletes experienced cheers and tears with numerous Gold, Silver and Bronze medal winners. Everyone had a good time and returned home champions.

Visit the Summer Games album for more photos

Athletics (Track and Field)

Medalists include:

• Luigi Aguirre - gold 100M, 4th 400M
• Xavier Dickey - 4th shot put, 6th 100M
• Gabe Handschuh - gold running long jump, 5th 100M
• Mokshad Joshi - gold 400M, bronze 800M
• Zawadi Karimi - gold 200M, silver 100M
• Eric Kim - 4th 100M
• Jamie Spiering - gold 800M, bronze running long jump
• Bree Taylor - silver 50M, 5th 100M

Bowling

Bowling continues to be one of our largest and most popular sports. Dozens of athletes meet on Sunday in Fall, Winter, and Spring in Leesburg to practice their sport among friends and fellow competitors. The team had a great time at the Summer Games. Medals:

• Shayonda C - Gold
• Carissa D - Bronze
• John V - Gold
• Andy L - Silver
• Anna Y - Bronze
• Mike C -Silver
• Amy Jo H - Gold
• Tommy K - Silver

Softball

It was the Rangers turn to compete in the Summer games this year. They played hard, including a few practices with the Cardinals during the Spring Season.

Rangers earning a Silver medal at the State Games were:

• David Knight
• Jordan Timbers
• Joey Barnett
• Jimmy Apperson
• Chris Robinson,
• Phillip Coe,
• Dave Young
• Brian Lawler
• RJ Jansure
• Jeff Cogswell
• Joe “Robin” Downs 

SUMMER SPORTS SCHEDULE

SUMMER SPORTS VOLUNTEERS

Make a difference this summer!

Join the Area 14 Super Sonics Team

Saturday, August 22, 2026

9:00 am - 4:00 PM

The Plane Pull is one of our largest fundraising events of the year. Not only does it support our local sports programs, it also helps to fund the Summer Games.

Wouldn't it be great if every athlete that was able to go to the Summer Games joined the Area 14 Super Sonics Team?

Our goal is to raise $2,500 so that our team of no more than 35 people can pull the plane.

All participants that raise $100 will get a medal

1. Raise $2500 and we will get 25 hats for the team
2. Raise $7000 by Aug 1 and get 25 custom tee shirts
3. Raise $10,000 and have access to the VIP tent

Tim Shriver asked at the USA Games, "How do we celebrate the Declaration of Independence? All people are created equal....No one shows that better than Special Olympics Athletes."

JOIN US!

Established in 2022, the Special Olympics Loudoun Impact Awards recognize individuals whose positive contributions have made a meaningful difference to Special Olympics Virginia - Loudoun (SOVAL). Through their dedication, participation, leadership, and support, these honorees inspire others, strengthen the SOVAL community, and help make the organization an even more welcoming, impactful, and rewarding place for athletes, volunteers, families, and supporters. Here are the awardees to date for 2026.