​There’s no slowing down for the Clatsop County Special Olympics athletes as they gear up for more top-tier competition. At the 2026 USA Games in Minneapolis, Brittney Clarke and Jacob McCarr made notable showings across three different events. Clarke struck gold in the 400-meter walk, further adding to her medal haul with a podium finish in the 4 x 100-meter relay and a strong showing in the mini javelin. McCarr delivered a solid performance in the shot put, finishing fifth, and contributed to the second-place finish by the co-ed 4 x 100 relay team while also competing in the 100-yard dash. Following these successes, Clarke and the rest of the Clatsop County Special Olympics athletes are preparing to hit the road again this weekend for more competition.
The 2026 Oregon Summer Games are scheduled for July 10 through July 12, with events taking place at Oregon State University in Corvallis. Twenty athletes from Clatsop County will compete across two disciplines: track and field, and bocce ball. Clarke headlines a team of 12 track and field competitors, accompanied by a strong roster that includes Alex Cary, Joey Bailey, Nicholas Bailey, Blake Chick, Mathias Costello, Marie Kajula, Jack Kain, Jonathan Lempea, Beau Routh, Cheyenne Valunzuela, Megan Wilson, and volunteer coaches Bill and Karen Lempea. A contingent of seven community volunteers will also accompany the team, including Phil and Julie Chick, Michael and Danielle Cary, Clatsop County Special Olympics Program Director David McAloney, Susan Hiebert, and Tracie Hunter.
On the bocce front, a newer sport for the Special Olympics calendar in Clatsop County, eight athletes will represent the region this weekend: Brandi Higgins, Angelica Lizarraga, Ben Johnson, David Killion, Jesse Banks, Jerry Allen, Jackie Bleech, and Nikki Fletcher. The bocce program will be supported by coaches Patty Kain and Brenda Higgins as they travel with the athletes to the competition.
Bocce, a game with a growing popularity in the United States, traces its roots back to Italy and other European countries. The lawn game shares similarities with bowling, as teams aim to roll large balls as close as possible to a smaller target called the pallino. Bocce can be played on various surfaces, including grass, sand, or a dedicated hardcourt. The sport gained prominence in Italy during the late 19th century, with Italian General Giuseppe Garibaldi helping to popularize it. Over time, bocce has evolved into a globally played activity, and it is now an official Olympic sport in some forms of competition. This weekend’s Oregon Summer Games will showcase the growing strength of Clatsop County’s bocce athletes and provide a platform for continued excellence in both track and field and bocce ball for the region’s Special Olympics participants.
For fans and supporters of Clatsop County, these games represent an important opportunity to celebrate the dedication, teamwork, and perseverance of Special Olympics athletes. The performance of Clarke, McCarr, and their teammates will not only bring pride to Clatsop County but will also inspire more local athletes to train hard and pursue their goals in adapted sports. As the team travels to Corvallis, the community eagerly anticipates strong showings across both disciplines, continuing a tradition of athletic achievement and inclusion that defines Clatsop County’s Special Olympics program.