A Pierce County resident has been chosen to compete in the Special Olympics this summer representing Team Wisconsin. The Special Olympics games will be held in Orlando, Fla., and competitors from all over the nation will take part.

Briana Larson, of Plum City, has been chosen to compete in track and field for Team Wisconsin at this summer’s competition. Just about a year after being selected, the competition features athletes for several events.

Larson has been involved in Special Olympics for 13 years and has competed to be selected for the past three national competitions. This is the first time she has been selected to represent Wisconsin at the national games.

Joann Larson said, “She has been competing for a long time and she has done more than just track and field and we have traveled all over Wisconsin to compete against other athletes in Wisconsin.”

Joann Larson explained that the Special Olympics chooses a specific number of athletes from each state to compete at the national competition. The athletes go through a training camp to qualify and then get chosen.

“Once she was chosen, we were sent a list of what she needs to do to prepare and for the first time this year they gave all the athletes Fitbits and this helps track their progress as they train for the summer games,” Joann Larson said.

The Special Olympics organization has individual coaches that help with the competitions. Briana Larson’s coach has been doing this for a long time and gives advice and encouragement each step of the way.

Joann Larson said, “Her coach Kathy Smith will be attending as well; she has been a coach with the Special Olympics since 1977.”

When Briana Larson was selected for this year’s national competition, they held a small celebration to announce her achievement.

“We planned a celebration during her bowling practice when she was notified around late summer that she had been chosen,” Joann Larson said.

The Special Olympics has more than 5.7 million athletes in the world and more than 9,000 in Wisconsin. Only 65 athletes are chosen to go to the U.S.A. games in June, so being chosen is definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity.

“When we talk about it being a big deal, it really is a big deal,” Joann Larson said.

At the Special Olympics, athletes march in an opening ceremony. The athlete who raises the most money gets to hold their state's flag during the opening ceremony. Briana Larson is most excited for this part of the whole experience, especially because her favorite song is the Star-Spangled Banner.

“I’m most excited to go out on the field and hear the Star-Spangled Banner, that is my favorite song,” she said.

Briana Larson is currently fundraising for the upcoming games; each athlete must raise a minimum of $500. Each athlete has their own profile on the Special Olympics website with a way to donate. If interested in donating and helping Briana Larson on her journey to Orlando this June, her link is https://bit.ly/3LNBFd2 Aside from competing in the Special Olympics, Briana Larson has many other hobbies. One of her favorite pastimes is crocheting. She has crocheted many baby blankets and hats and donated them to charities across western Wisconsin and the Twin Cities.

As the summer games get closer, Briana Larson is preparing each day. She is really hoping to take home some gold medals and wants to represent the state of Wisconsin the best she can. She said, “I want to thank everyone who has supported me in my journey. Your encouragement, prayers and donations go a long way toward helping me reach my goals of good health, a winning spirit and gold medals.”