\u201cI really like trying to figure out how to get them to be able to do what they want to do,\u201d said Megan Johnski, who has coached Special Olympic athletes for many years.<\/p>\n
The Special Olympics USA Games take place on the University of Minnesota campus this year beginning June 20. Johnski was chosen to be a coach for Team Minnesota athletes, her second time doing it.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is an amazing program,\u201d Johnski said, referring to the Special Olympics program.<\/p>\n
Local Talent<\/p>\n
Schneider, a Park Center grad, is one of two athletes on Team Minnesota that Johnski coaches at North Shore Gymnastics in Maple Plain.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cShe really does make it easy to coach. And fun because she\u2019s such a positive gymnast. She\u2019s an athlete that wants to work hard and be here and do what she\u2019s asked to do,\u201d Johnski said.<\/p>\n
This is Schneider\u2019s first year qualifying for the USA Games. The 25-year-old started working with Special Olympics gymnastics when she was 8 years old.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a big thing that is going to be in my life forever, I\u2019ll remember for the rest of my life,\u201d Schneider reflected.<\/p>\n
She found out she was a part of the team through a live-streamed event sitting on the couch with her family. She remembers it being an emotional moment.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe first I heard my name, I said \u2018woohoo!\u2019 and then I went into tears,\u201d Schneider said.<\/p>\n
Schneider said she likes floor the best, but will compete in bars, beam and vault as well at the games.<\/p>\n
\u201c[Gymnastics] really builds my confidence and it gives me a lot of challenge. It builds my skills. It\u2019s kind of fun, too,\u201d Schneider said. \u201cIt just breaks a lot of barriers for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lucy Schneider laughs with her coach, Megan Johnski, as she practices flipping on the bar.<\/p>\n Family and Found Family<\/p>\n Schneider\u2019s mom, Mary Schneider, said it\u2019s been fun watching her daughter grow as an athlete and now watching her go to the USA Games.<\/p>\n \u201cOh my God, it\u2019s a huge deal. This has been her dream since she was little,\u201d Mary Schneider said. \u201cI see how far she\u2019s come \u2026 she has learned so many skills in the last few years, and she\u2019s been able to push herself.\u201d<\/p>\n Mary Schneider said her daughter has found confidence, friendship and leadership opportunities through Special Olympics.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a dream come true for athletes \u2014 and coaches \u2014 to show off their skills on a big stage. Especially right at home in Minnesota.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s very heartwarming to see the athletes compete, and how excited they get,\u201d Mary Schneider said. \u201cJust great sportsmanship. So come out and watch. It\u2019ll be fantastic.\u201d<\/p>\n Lucy Schneider begins competition at the University of Minnesota on June 22. The Special Olympics USA Games are open to the public. You can learn more about the games and find a schedule at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games<\/a> website.<\/p>\n Lucy Schneider fine-tunes her floor routine with her coach.<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/BP-SPECIAL-OLYMPIAN-PKG-NS-GFX-20260620-1024x576.jpg\")
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