#BeFearlessBeKind Caden & Tanner

Special Olympics Wyoming is sending 21 athletes and Unified partners to compete in 2018 USA Games held in Seattle, Washington. Including a cousin duo from Evanston, Wyoming. Caden Fry and Tanner Spatig will compete on the Unified Basketball team, hopefully bringing home a win for the Cowboy state but definitely having a blast!

Caden and Tanner are currently attending Evanston High School (home of the Red Devils!) but have participated in Special Olympics together for 8 years. Caden originally joined to help his cousins who participated and has continued to enjoy spending time with his family and new friends: “We have been doing this together for eight years and have a lot of good times together.” Caden also participates in snowshoeing, bowling and swimming.

Tanner “Dangerous” Spatig is excited to able to attend the Games and represent Wyoming and he hopes to bring home a win. For Tanner the inclusion fostered by Special Olympics and Unified Champion Schools allows him the change to play sports that he typically would not be able to play, “I feel excitement and have had a lot of great opportunities because of inclusion.” In addition to basketball Tanner also participates in bowling, snow shoeing, basketball, swimming and equestrian. And if that’s not enough to keep Tanner busy he also is involved in 4-H and the Evanston Rodeo Series!

Joining those two will be one of their coaches, Dave Deru, a teacher at their school. Dave began volunteering in the 8th grade and after a break during college, he’s been back to volunteering and coaching for the past three years. Dave is encouraging of everyone to get involved because, “…it is such a rewarding experience. You get to work with people who do it for the love of the sport and win or lose they have a great time.”

No matter the outcome Caden, Tanner, Dave and the rest of Team Wyoming will have a great time!