For Team Minnesota, Swimming is as Much About Family As Sport

By Kathleen Morris

July 5, 2018

Dale and Kristin Nelson, coaches for Team Minnesota, have brought a team of four male and four female swimmers, aged 19 to 49, to Seattle.

For Dale and Kristin, swimming is as much about family as sport.  A married couple, they started the Special Olympics swim team in their community. "This has been a unique experience for us," says Kristin.  "It's been a fabulous opportunity to work with a whole variety of abilities and learn about athletes we would never have met. It's really been an honor for us to watch them grow."

For Dale and Kristin, the experience has also been about connecting with the athletes' families, "earning their trust and respect." "Fun and hard work is our motto", says Dale, and their athletes have succeeded at both, meeting their competitive goals as many family members have cheered from the stands.