There's nothing quite like earning an award and knowing you're among the best in the world...
Congratulations to Grace Anne Braxton and Trasean Singletary, who represented Virginia and Team USA at Special Olympics World Games 2023 in Berlin. The Games, held from June 17-25, brought together thousands of Special Olympics athletes from around the world to compete in 26 sports.
Grace Anne Braxton played 4 rounds of 18 holes at The Golf Club Bad Saarow, located outside of Berlin along the beautiful Scharmützelsee in Brandenburg. Grace Anne took home silver with a total score of 359.
Trasean Singletary hit the track for the 5000M (5K), 3000M (3K) and 4x400M at Olympiapark, which was constructed for the 1972 Olympics and is located in Munich. Trasean ran his way to bronze in the 5000M, with a time of 21:31.68, and gold in the 3000M.
Also representing Virginia were Grace Anne's caddy (and brother), Bill Braxton; head tennis coach and Special Olympics Virginia volunteer Ron Manilla; Dave Pawlowski, Vice President of Sports, Health & Fitness at Special Olympics Virginia, who led the USA medical team; and Bryan Schubring, Senior Director of Sports & Competition at Special Olympics Virginia, who led a field hockey demonstration and also supported SO Connect.
Congratulations to Grace Anne, Trasean and all of Team USA. Your joy, excitement and accomplishment could be felt from Berlin. Safe travels home; we can't wait to see you!
For more photos from the Games, visit https://www.smugmug.com/app/organize/Sports/2023-World-Games or https://specialolympicsnorthamerica.photoshelter.com/galleries/C000052HCnOBsuUQ/2023-Berlin.
