Eleven athletes and three coaches from the Hays Buffalos have been selected to represent Kansas Special Olympics in the 2026 USA Games in Minneapolis, Minnesota, next summer.

Efforts are underway to raise funds for their trip. 

Members of the team will have a booth at Wild West Festival selling food, merchandise and raffle tickets.

Athletes from the Hays area have participated in the USA games before, but this is the first time that one of the basketball team has been selected to represent Kansas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1751490982995.jpeg" alt="USA Games Basketball:&nbsp;Coach Tiff, Coach Roberta, Kayleen, Nelda, Donny, Ethan, Joe, Luke, Riley, Brent, Steven, Geoff and Coach Greg. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>USA Games Basketball:&nbsp;Coach Tiff, Coach Roberta, Kayleen, Nelda, Donny, Ethan, Joe, Luke, Riley, Brent, Steven, Geoff and Coach Greg. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedEleven athletes and three coaches from the Hays Buffalos have been selected to represent Kansas Special Olympics in the 2026 USA Games in Minneapolis, Minnesota, next summer.Efforts are underway to raise funds for their trip. Members of the team will have a booth at Wild West Festival selling food, merchandise and raffle tickets.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1751491015944.jpeg" alt="USA Games Bowling:&nbsp;Lakin" />
 <figcaption>USA Games Bowling:&nbsp;Lakin</figcaption>
 </figure>Athletes from the Hays area have participated in the USA games before, but this is the first time that one of the basketball team has been selected to represent Kansas.

Hays Buffalos raising funds for USA games during Wild West Festival