Florida gymnasts go for gold at Special Olympics USA Games

ORANGE CITY, Fla. – A group of Florida athletes is about to make the trip of a lifetime. After all, the Special Olympics USA Games only occur every four years. Thousands of Special Olympians and their coaches will compete for medals in a variety of sports from June 20-26 in Minneapolis/St. Paul. Florida is sending a delegation of nearly 170 athletes and Unified partners to the USA Games.

On Sunday in Orange City, five of Florida’s gymnasts were getting in their final practice and putting the finishing touches onto their routines, with help from their coaches. The determined gymnasts have put years into their sport, pushing themselves to be better in every practice. Their dedication is matched by their coaches’ commitment. Jeannette Reed and Lauren Petrick have coached Special Olympians for years. They traveled from Brevard and Miami/Dade counties to work with the athletes on this particular day in Orange City. They’ll accompany the gymnasts to the USA games, where Petrick says Team Florida “is going to rock it!”

Watch the video above to see Team Florida’s gymnasts put the finishing touches on their routines in Orange City.