Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) athletes Zach Potter and Nicole Henderson and Unified Partners Brad Potter and Karin Lindsley represented Team Pennsylvania in bowling at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. Zach and Brad are a Unified father and son from Prompton, PA, and Nicole and Karin are a Unified mother and daughter from Dingmans Ferry, PA. 

Unified Sports joins people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team.

Zach started the week off by winning a silver medal in singles bowling on the national stage with a score of 340 in three games. Nicole and Karin also paired up to win a silver medal in Unified female doubles bowling, to bowl a combined score of 618.

In Unified male doubles, Zach and Brad placed fifth, scoring 724 in three games apiece. Nicole placed seventh in singles bowling, rolling a combined 307. Zach, Brand, Nicole and Karin also competed in Unified Team bowling and just missed adding another medal, placing fourth with a combined score of 1,335.

Zach has been involved with Special Olympics for 13 years, participating in skiing, bowling, track and field, and golf. Outside of Special Olympics, he works as a janitor at the Wayne County Courthouse. 

Zach’s father, Brad, has also been involved with Special Olympics for 13 years as a volunteer and a Unified Partner, allowing them to compete alongside each other. Zach and Brad Potter have also won the gold medal for unified bowling at SOPA’s state championships at Indoor Winter Games in 2024. Special Olympics has helped Zach Potter build confidence, friendships, and a sense of belonging.

Nicole has competed in Special Olympics in track and field, swimming, alpine skiing, bocce and bowling. She became a Global Messenger in 2014 and was in the first Advanced Global Messenger class in 2017, allowing her to share her experience with Special Olympics and help get others involved. She was also presented with the Valor Award at SOPA’s Fall Festival at Villanova University. Being a part of Special Olympics has given Nicole the self-confidence to become independent and achieve her goals. Outside of Special Olympics, Nicole has worked at Walmart for 18 years. 

Karin has been involved with Special Olympics for 33 years as a coach in bowling and bocce and is also a Global Messenger Mentor for Nicole. Karin loves seeing the way athletes, including her daughter, never give up no matter the obstacle or challenges. Her daughter Nicole has taken on every challenge put in front of her and surpassed it.

The USA Games allowed athletes and Unified Partners like Zach Potter, Brad Potter, Nicole Henderson, and Karin Lindsley to prove their skills on a national stage and in an inclusive environment. 

In total, Team Pennsylvania earned 43 medals, including 13 gold, 13 silver and 17 bronze, at the USA Games, held from June 20-26 in Minnesota.

Special Olympics Pennsylvania provides year-round sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities—helping athletes build fitness, show courage, experience joy, and connect with their families and communities. Learn more at www.specialolympicspa.org.