RESUME: Member of the USA Eagles Women’s National Rugby Team and played in the 2017 World Cup. Also plays for the Seattle Saracens. Marketing and Project Manager for Clear Water Compliance Services in Everett.

WHY DID YOU WANT TO BE AN AMBASSADOR? I went to a Special Olympics event during the summer of 2017 and it was amazing. It was the first event like that I’d gone to and the genuine happiness, all the competitors were so excited just to play sports, was something that brought me in and when I was asked to be an ambassador I was really excited.

ADVICE FOR COMPETITORS: Continue to remind yourself that you play because you love it. It’s not always about the competition. Competition can cause physical and emotional stress. But you keep doing it because you have love for the sport and I think that’s what drives most athletes to go to higher levels and continue to compete through injuries and hardships. Acknowledge how much you love your sport and play because of that passion.

HOW WILL SEATTLE REACT TO THE GAMES? I think Special Olympics is an event that people know about but they may not know that the competition happens around the country and around the world. I think when people go to these events they’re going to wonder why they haven’t been more involved.

WHAT TO DO ON A DAY OFF IN SEATTLE? The Northwest is so beautiful once people realize it’s not always cloudy and gray. It can be easy to take it for granted. One thing I love doing when friends and family visit is to take them to see the view from Kerry Park in Queen Anne. You don’t just see the city, you see the Cascades, Mt. Rainier, all of downtown and the Puget Sound. It’s a great place to take in all of Seattle.