 |
Brent Belcher, Head Coach
Home: Bowling Green
Employer: Bowling Green Department of Parks and Recreation – Special Populations Manager
Years in Special Olympics: 12
Sports Coached: Basketball, Bowling, Softball, Track and Field
Hobbies: Having an active lifestyle, spending time with family and Special Olympics
Notes: Twice Brent has been named Area 5 (Southwestern Kentucky) Coach of the Year. In 2006, he was nominated by Special Olympics Kentucky as a candidate for North American Coach of the Year. This will be Brent’s second time coaching at the World Games level. He coached a Bowling Green softball team at the 1999 World Summer Games in Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, N.C.
What accomplishments make you most proud of yourself?: Fatherhood is my proudest accomplishment. My greatest accomplishment in Special Olympics is when I see an athlete work hard in practice, learn a new skill and then see them do that skill. Watching an athlete improve and become better through their own dedication and desire is very rewarding.
How has Special Olympics changed your life?: First of all, Special Olympics has provided me the opportunity to fulfill my lifelong dream of being a coach. Secondly, my involvement with Special Olympics has made me a better person. Special Olympics athletes are some of the most genuinely nice people I have met. I have learned a lot from my involvement with this program.
What does attending World Games mean to you?: A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take on the challenge of a lifetime.
 |
Derek Shadoan, Assistant Coach
Home: Bowling Green
Employer: EnSafe – Environmental Health and Safety Scientist
Years in Special Olympics: 7
Sports Coached: Basketball
Hobbies: billiards, walking, volunteering with Special Olympics
Notes: Derek was named 2003 Area 5 (Southwestern Kentucky) Volunteer of the Year.
What accomplishments make you most proud of yourself?: Marriage, graduate degree and building a business in the local community.
How has Special Olympics changed your life?: It has allowed me to assist others by using skills I’ve developed in my personal, work and educational experience. And Special Olympics has afforded me the opportunity to volunteer and help others in ways I could not have imagined.
What does attending World Games mean to you?: It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our team and the experience will enhance our program’s impact on our athletes and community. It will be great to experience a different culture.
 |
Jennifer Siebold
Home: Madison, Tenn.
Employer: Russellville Department of Parks and Recreation – Assistant Director.
Years in Special Olympics: 6
Sports Coached: Basketball, Softball
Hobbies: Basketball, coaching Special Olympics and youth sports
Notes: Jennifer is a former basketball Player of the Year at the high school level.
What accomplishments make you most proud of yourself?: Becoming the Assistant Director of the Russellville Parks and Recreation Department; being recognized by parents and players as a good and fun coach; graduating college with bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
How has Special Olympics changed your life?: I always dreamed of being a coach. When I got involved with Special Olympics, I never imagined the satisfaction I would receive from being around these athletes. Special Olympics makes me want to be a better person. A bad day can be turned amazing just by walking in the door of practice.
What does attending World Games mean to you?: Being asked to be an assistant coach is a huge honor for me. I feel privileged to be around these young ladies and help prepare them for the World Games.
 |
Glenda Albright
Home: Bowling Green
Birthday: 07/09/86
Years in Special Olympics: 2
Sports: Basketball, Softball
Hobbies: Swimming, Spending time with pets
What accomplishments make you most proud of yourself?: Special Olympics State championship in basketball in 2006.
How has Special Olympics changed your life?: I have made new friends.
What does attending World Games mean to you?: It’s an opportunity of a lifetime. I don’t know anyone who has been to China.
 |
Marcie Blandford
Home: Owensboro
Birthday: 06/18/89
Years in Special Olympics: 4
Sports: Basketball, Equestrian, Softball, Track and Field
Hobbies: Watching movies, Dog walking, Horseback riding
What accomplishments make you most proud of yourself?: Competing, Riding horses and taking care of my pets.
How has Special Olympics changed your life?: It has given me new friends and something to do.
What does attending World Games mean to you?: This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I get out of school for over two weeks. It makes me proud and excited.
 |
Sheila Crowson
Home: Bowling Green
Birthday: 08/30/76
Employer: Target
Years in Special Olympics: 4
Sports: Basketball, Bowling, Softball
Hobbies: Scrapbooking, swimming and movies
What accomplishments make you most proud of yourself?: Having a job, friends I’ve made and travels.
How has Special Olympics changed your life?: It has made me very happy. It makes me very proud when I win my medals.
What does attending World Games mean to you?: It’s BIG! It’s an awesome honor to go to China to represent the United States.
 |
Kay Gregory
Home: Bowling Green
Birthday: 04/29/66
Years in Special Olympics: 3
Sports: Basketball, Bowling, Softball and Track and Field
Hobbies: Fishing, Bowling, Riding a Motorcycle and NASCAR
What accomplishments make you most proud of yourself?: Lifelong friendships and being a true friend.
How has Special Olympics changed your life?: Made me more confident, made me realize I can do anything, help me grow and be a better person.
What does attending World Games mean to you?: EVERYTHING! Get to meet new people. Get to make lifetime memories.
Jennifer Hamilton
Home: Owensboro
Birthday: 07/24/1980
Years in Special Olympics: 14
Sports: Basketball, Bowling, Softball, Track and Field
Hobbies: Doing things outside
How has Special Olympics changed your life?: I have mad elots of friends and traveled.
What does attending World Games mean to you?: It will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
 |
Kelly King
Home: Oakland
Birthday: 11/30/78
Employer: Work in family grocery store
Years in Special Olympics: 15
Sports: Basketball, Bowling, Softball and Track and Field
Hobbies: Baseball Cards and Embroidery
Notes: Kelly is one of two Kentucky athletes (Megan McCormick-Aquatics) who will be making their second straight trip to the World Summer Games. Kelly bowled in the 2003 World Summer Games in Dublin, Ireland, winning a gold medal in the singles competition and earning fourth-place ribbons in both the doubles and team events. She has received Athlete of the Year and the Ethel Luken Dedication Award for her efforts in Special Olympics.
What accomplishments make you most proud of yourself?: Helping others when needed.
How has Special Olympics changed your life?: I like traveling with my team and I get to make new friends.
What does attending World Games mean to you?: It’s an honor to be part of Team USA.
 |
Crystal Maston
Home: Bowling Green
Birthday: 09/10/85
Years in Special Olympics: 3
Sports: Basketball, Bowling, Softball and Track and Field
Hobbies: Listening to music, walking, computer.
Notes: Crystal competed in track and field in the 2006 Special Olympics USA National Games in Ames, Iowa where she won a bronze medal in the 4x100-meter relay and took fourth place in the 100-meter dash. She was also awarded the Spirit of Special Olympics Award for Team Kentucky just prior to the Closing Ceremonies at those Games. She was named Bowling Green Special Olympics Co-Athlete of the Year in 2006 and received a key to the city for her National Games participation.
What accomplishments make you most proud of yourself?: Attending the first ever National Games and representing my state.
How has Special Olympics changed your life?: A chance to meet new people and compete in different sports.
What does attending World Games mean to you?: A chance to travel to a different country and getting the opportunity to compete against athletes from around the world. It’s great!
 |
Taylor Thomas
Home: Franklin
Birthday: 12/04/91
School: Franklin Simpson Middle School
Years in Special Olympics: 4
Sports: Basketball and Softball
Hobbies: Music, basketball and softball
How has Special Olympics changed your life?: I have met new people and I get to learn new rules and sportsmanship.
What does attending World Games mean to you?: It means I will be representing the USA and making history.
Mary Ann Wilcome
Home: Bowling Green
Birthday: 05/12/76
Years in Special Olympics: 8
Sports: Basketball and Softball
Hobbies: Softball and basketball.
What accomplishments make you most proud of yourself?: Awards I’ve won in basketball and softball.
How has Special Olympics changed your life?: I have more friends.
What does attending World Games mean to you?: That I get to practice more and get better and I get to meet new people.
 |
Natalie Williams
Home: Bowling Green
Birthday: 12/31/85
Years in Special Olympics: 3
Sports: Basketball, Bowling, Softball and Track and Field
Hobbies: Sports, church, hanging out with my friends.
Notes: Natalie has been recognized on the National Honor Roll and earned the Patricia Ratliff Youth Leadership Award.
What accomplishments make you most proud of yourself?: Taking control of my life, being considerate of others and being a Christian.
How has Special Olympics changed your life?: Made me more responsible and helped me meet new people.
What does attending World Games mean to you?: It means I worked hard and did my best.
