Lebanon native Kris Progin earns silver at Special Olympics USA Games

Kris Progin has already made her decision: If she’s not selected as an athlete, she’ll attend the 2030 Special Olympics USA Games in Cleveland, Ohio, as a volunteer.

Progin has participated in the Special Olympics for 39 years, beginning with track and field before expanding into softball and basketball. She’s forged lifelong connections. Basked in various atmospheres. Created unparalleled memories.

But when Progin was picked for last month’s USA Games in Minnesota, it was unlike any Special Olympics experience.

The Lebanon native earned a silver medal in the golf skills competition, compiling 173 points.

“This had always been a dream of mine to go to the USA Games,” Progin said. “I had a friend that went to International Games in Austria, and since he had gone, it had been a dream of mine to at least make the USA Games someday. I was very excited when I found out I was going.”

Progin punched her ticket to the national dance by winning a 2024 spring gold medal. She was initially listed as an alternate, but a fellow competitor stepped down, opening the door for Progin’s entry.

The golf skills competition covers a range of proficiencies. Progin displayed her acumen with a short and long putt, chipping and pitching, and driving with a wedge and driver.

The pitching portion includes a 3-foot wall, which competitors are tasked with clearing.

“I always thought I was good at pitching, but this time around, I didn’t get it over as well as I would have liked,” Progin said. “With my putting, one day I got short putts in the hole, and the other day, I got a long putt. You get different points depending on where you hit the ball.”

Competition aside, Progin’s biggest takeaway was interacting with people from across the country.

In the golf skills field, 10 states were represented.

“Even with the volunteers, I now have so many friends on Facebook,” Progin said. “It was great to meet people from all over the country. I even made friends from Pennsylvania. Because a lot of the people that went, I had never met before. So that was even an experience.”

Progin hopes to qualify for the 2030 USA Games.

If that moment isn’t met, another trip — in a different capacity — is already confirmed.

“There were so many volunteers that came out to this event, that it was just great to see,” Progin said of her inspiration for the 2030 USA Games. “All these people come out to support us, and that’s really cool.”