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Illinois athlete Todd Peddycoart shines in Special Olympics USA Games
Courtesy: Special Olympics Illinois

Illinois athlete Todd Peddycoart shines in Special Olympics USA Games

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The 2022 Special Olympics USA Games was held June 5 to 12 in Orlando, Florida at the Walt Disney World Resort. Todd Peddycoart, a bowling athlete from Monticello, was among the 5,500 athletes from all over the United States and the Caribbean who competed in the USA Games. 

Courtesy: Special Olympics Illinois

“It means a lot that I have made a big accomplishment in going to USA Games,” Todd says.

He and 67 other athletes, eight Unified Partners, 22 coaches and several staff members from Special Olympics Illinois represented Team Illinois at the Games. 

Todd started bowling on the Piatt County Golden Eagles Special Olympics Team eight years ago and was selected as one of four bowling competitors in Singles and Doubles bowling competition.

“I was on fire,” Todd says. “I bowled over 200 per game each day and got my best three-game bowling score in Doubles.”

He earned a silver medal in the Singles competition, and with his teammate, Nico Techen, Todd brought home a gold medal for their male division. 

“Nico was my roommate and became my really good friend, so it wasn’t hard to bowl doubles with him,” Todd says, adding that he appreciated the help from coach Michelle Dwyer.

When Todd was not busy competing at the Boardwalk Bowl Entertainment Center, he enjoyed various activities, entertainment and food at Disney World along with his coach and bowling teammates. He also got to meet NFL quarterback Tim Tebow and former Illini basketball player Nick Anderson.

“Maybe some people wouldn’t say that Nick Anderson is a celebrity, but he is for me because I’m a big Illini fan and it was really cool to meet him,” Todd says. 

When asked what would be his next sports goal, Todd didn’t have to think long about his answer. 

“I hope I can get better and be picked to go to the Special Olympics World Games someday,” he says.

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