Bethel community shines at 2026 Special Olympics USA Games
By Heather Schnese S’12
July 15, 2026 | 10:30 a.m.
Incoming Bethel student Nick Staloch BUILD'28 DJed the Athlete Welcome Party at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games.
"I'll remember the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games forever!" says incoming Bethel student Nick Staloch.
Competing as a forward on Minnesota's Intercollegiate Unified Basketball Team, Staloch met athletes from across the country, played before cheering crowds, DJed two official Games events, and celebrated alongside family and new friends.
“The Opening Ceremonies were so much fun. I had the best seat in the stadium—first row on the aisle,” says Nick. “It was amazing! Everybody was so excited.”
Those moments were shared by nearly 3,000 athletes who gathered June 20-25 for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. Hosted at the University of Minnesota and the National Sports Center in Blaine, the Games welcomed competitors from all 50 states for six days of competition.
Among Team Minnesota were several members of the Bethel community: Mikayla Holmgren BUILD’18 (track and field); Tyler Sarff BUILD’19 (softball); Amelie Wall BUILD ’22 (swimming); Lucy Haugland BUILD’22 (track and field); Nick Staloch BUILD’28 (basketball); and Jenna Perkins BUILD’25 (honorary co-chair). Their experiences reflected both athletic achievement and lives shaped by Bethel's BUILD program, a two-year residential Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary (CTP) program for students with intellectual disabilities.
“We are so proud of each of our alumni, and one of our incoming students, who represented Minnesota in the Special Olympics USA Games,” says Dawn Allen, director of Bethel’s BUILD program. “Each of these athletes knows they are deeply valued and made in the image of God, uniquely equipped with their own gifts, talents, and impressive athletic skills.”
On the national stage
Jenna Perkins BUILD’25 helped set the tone for the entire week. Serving as an honorary co-chair for the Games, Jenna welcomed athletes from across the country while championing the message she hopes every participant and spectator will remember: “To include everyone and that we can all be champions.”
The role was especially meaningful for Jenna, who has competed in the Special Olympics for more than 10 years in multiple sports, including basketball, soccer, flag football, bocce, track and field, and snowshoeing.
Jenna Perkins BUILD’25 served as the honorary co-chair of 2026 Special Olympics USA Games.
Jenna appeared on the stadium big screen as she carried in a flag during the Opening Ceremonies.
Her father, Eric Perkins, says the experience brought joy to their family. “Watching her walk into Opening Ceremonies as the first flag bearer made us so proud,” he says. “To see the joy on her face was such a thrill.” Jenna’s family has seen her life transformed by participating in the Special Olympics over the past decade—she’s expanded her friendships and gained confidence.
Nick’s mom, Brenda Staloch, says being part of the Special Olympics was “the privilege of a lifetime” for Nick. With the Games being in Minnesota, many of Nick’s aunts and uncles were able to attend and cheer him on. Knowing Nick wanted to be a DJ, his coach helped arrange the opportunity for him to DJ the Athlete Welcome Party and the Athlete Departure at Holman Field. “The Special Olympics was the culmination of everything good,” Brenda says. “My prayer for him was that he would make new, lifelong friends and just soak in the experience.” He did, and he hopes to compete again in Cleveland in 2030.
Also representing Team Minnesota was BUILD alumna Lucy Haugland. She competed in track and field, running the 400-meter, 800-meter, and 1,500-meter races. Lucy trained for more than a year to earn her place at the national competition. “I have been working very hard on my training. I trained four times a week with running, cross training in the pool, and lifting weights,” says Lucy. “It was an honor to be picked for Team Minnesota.”
Her mom, Kellie Benzow, helped Lucy train. “This opportunity recognizes on a national level that this community can be accepted and rewarded for their focus and diligence training and competing just like any other serious athlete,” says Kellie. “It is such an honor for her to compete on the national stage. It is exciting to see her achieve some of the goals she has set for herself.”
Learn more of Lucy’s story.
Prepared through BUILD
This fall, Nick will begin Bethel’s BUILD program, where he's looking forward to meeting new friends, playing drums in worship, exploring audio production, and continuing to share his talents as a DJ. He’s also excited for “waffles for breakfast every day!”
Brenda says the family knew Bethel was the right fit during their first campus visit. "Students with disabilities were side by side with the other students—the full college experience, living in a dorm with all the other college students as neighbors, was important to us,” she says. “The Christian environment is a perfect fit for Nick. His life story has God’s fingerprints all over it, and I believe leading him to Bethel is just one more piece of His amazing plan for Nick.”
Nick Staloch BUILD'28 competed as a forward on Minnesota's Intercollegiate Unified Basketball Team at the 2026 Special Olympics games.
Nick helped represent Team Minnesota at the Opening Ceremonies, meeting many new friends along the way.
She believes the BUILD program will help Nick continue growing in independence, executive functioning, and faith while providing opportunities to pursue the interests that already bring him so much joy.
Kellie confirms that Bethel’s approach to inclusion, as well as the independence and skills Lucy gained, helped prepare her for life after graduation. “The BUILD program at Bethel is all about acceptance and inclusion,” she says. “There are no barriers at Bethel, only possibilities.”
— Dawn Allen, director of Bethel’s BUILD program
For Dawn, seeing Bethel community members participate in the Special Olympics demonstrates the lasting impact of the BUILD program. “Their journey beautifully exemplifies the heart of BUILD’s mission—to prepare students to confidently navigate their world with self-determination,” she says. “While on campus, living in the residence halls, taking traditional college courses, or competing in our Unified Sports Club, these students leaned into their calling, built lasting confidence, and truly discovered their purpose.” Dawn says watching Bethel community members contribute to the Games in so many different ways is exactly what the university hopes to see long after students leave campus.
"These athletes are living out what Bethel founder John Alexis Edgren said was the true measure of success,” Dawn says. “We measure our performance by what God accomplishes through our graduates after they have been prepared at Bethel to go out into the world."
David Kaetterhenry BUILD’19 worked at his food truck "Greater Tater" at the Special Olympics.
A group of alumni from Bethel's BUILD program attended the Olympics together to cheer on their friends.
Fulfill your God-given potential
Bethel’s BUILD program is a Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary (CTP) program for students with intellectual disabilities. You'll experience dynamic and encouraging instruction, career-oriented curriculum, specialized mentorship, and on-campus living—all within a supportive Christian environment.