Welcome to Special Olympics Kentucky

Team Kentucky Softball

Lexington Thunder softball team has been selected to represent Kentucky in that competition at the National Games. The Thunder are the two-time defending 2A Special Olympics State Softball Champions. They earned the right to be considered for the Team Kentucky slot by winning their second state championship in September.

Coaches

	Head Coach Maureen Fister of Lexington has been coaching Special Olympics athletes for five years. The Thunder is the second softball team she has coached. She was the coach of the Fayette Indians before taking over the Thunder. She has also coached track and field. This will be her first time coaching at the World or National Games level. Fister is a student.

	Assistant Coach Mark Micatrotto of Lexington has also been coaching in Special Olympics for five years. He also coaches basketball in the program. He is the manager of O'Charley's Restaurant in Lexington. This will also be his first experience coaching at the World or National Games level.

	Longtime Special Olympics volunteer Cece Fister of Lexington rounds out the all-in-the-family coaching staff. The aunt of Maureen Fister, Cece will serve as an assistant coach with the Thunder. Cece has been involved with Special Olympics for more than 30 years and has coached bowling and track and field in addition to softball. She also served as a local coordinator for the Fayette County Special Olympics program for many years. A retired teacher, Cece will be heading to her third major Special Olympics Games. She served as a chaperone for the 199 World Summer Games in Minnesota and at the 1995 World Summer Games in Connecticut. Her son Will Fister is a Special Olympics athlete.

Athletes

	Andrew Browning of Lexington has been involved in Special Olympics for five years competing in bowling, track and field, basketball, alpine skiing and golf in addition to softball. Browning, 17, is a student at Lafayette HIgh School. This will be his first trip to a major Special Olympics competition. In addition to competing in Special Olympics sports Browning is a trained Global Messenger.

	Justin Butler of Lexington has been involved in Special Olympics for two years competing in basketball and softball. Butler, 24, works at Little Caesars Pizza in NIcholasville, KY. This will be his first first trip to a major Special Olympics competition.

	Marcus Cooper of Lexington has been involved in Special Olympics for 6 years competing in bowling, basketball and softball and golf. Cooper, 22, works for Joyland Bowling Center in Lexington. The National Games will be his first trip to a major Special Olympics competition.

	DeMarcus Davis of Lexington has been involved in Special Olympics for 20 years competing in track and field and softball. Davis, 30, works for the Hyatt Hotel in downtown Lexington. The National Games will be his first opportunity to compete at a major Special Olympics event.

	Larry Evans of Lexington has been involved in Special Olympics for 14 years competing in bowling, basketball and softball. Evans, 22, works for Dairy Queen. This will be his first trip to a major Special Olympics Games

	Michael Frederick of Lexington has played Special Olympics softball for two years. Michael, 14, is a student at Bryan Station High School. He will be making his first trip to a major Special Olympics Games.

	Scott Frederick of Lexington is in his third year playing Special Olympics softball. Scott, 18, like his brother Michael is also a student at Bryan Station High School and will be competing in his first major Special Olympics Games.

	At 56Howard Gayheart of Lexington is the Thunder's elder statesman, but in terms of Special Olympics experience he is still pretty green. This is just Gayheart's second year in the program and second year with the Thunder. He will be competing for the first time at a major Special Olympics Games.

	Michael Gibson of Lexington is a 15-year Special Olympics veteran, though he is in only his third year playing softball. Gibson also competes in bowling and swimming. He will also be making his first trip to a major Special Olympics Games.

	Robert Horning, 25, of Lexington has been playing softball for five years. However he has only been involved in the Special Olympics program for three years. He plays basketball with the Lexington Wildcats in addition to softball. He will be making his first trip to a major Special Olympics Games/

	David Kelly of Lexington has played softball for 20 years, and has competed in Special Olympics programs for the last seven. He competes in bowling golf and basketball in addition to playing with the Thunder. Kelly, 37, works at Southland Christian Church, just outside Lexington. He has never been to a major Special Olympics Games competition prior to Ames.

	Jonathan Lang of Lexington has been a Special Olympics athlete for 14 years, playing softball for five. He also competes in bowling and basketball. He works for the Lexington-Herald Leader. Lang, 29, will be making his first trip to a major Special Olympics Games.

	Damien Mays of Lexington has been a Special Olympics athlete for seven years, playing softball for five. He also plays basketball with the Lexington Wildcats. Mays, 22, will be appearing in his first major Special Olympics Games.

	Stuart Sutton of Lexington has participated in Special Olympics for 3 years, competing in bowling, track and field, basketball and softball. Sutton, 42, works for Employment Solutions and will be competing in a major Special Olympics Games for the first time.