Special Olympics Unified

Amy Wiesenhutter, a native Texan, is an Adapted Physical Education Teacher in Pflugerville ISD and has been for the last 23 years. She is also the school district’s Special Olympics coordinator. Amy feels blessed to be able to combine her passion of sports and love for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She has been involved in Special Olympics in various capacities since she was 12 years old. Amy is grateful to be a part of the unified movement which creates an environment that embraces ALL.

Nicki Huschka has been a Special Olympics Volunteer for the last 32 years and has served in various capacities, including coaching the last 25 years.  Nicki finds it incredibly rewarding to share her love of sports and to provide a safe, competitive, and fun experience for Special Olympics Athletes and Unified Partners, while creating a world of inclusion for those with intellectual disabilities. She gets great joy watching Athletes achieve their goals no matter how big or small and is grateful for the opportunity to again coach the Austin FC Unified Team.

Zach Wilkinson is a graduating senior from Hendrickson High School. In addition to soccer, he participates in bowling, flag football, basketball, and track. He is a proud member of the Hendrickson Hawk Battalion of the Marine Corps Junior ROTC, and a member of the UCS program at Hendrickson. He also enjoys video games, movies, and playing with his tuxedo cat, Leopard.

Christian Bradshaw loves playing sports and being a part of the team! He has been a part of the Leander Lazers Special Olympics team for the past 7 years in which he has participated in power lifting, basketball, track and soccer. Aside from his love of sports, Christian also enjoys spending time with his family, swimming, watching movies and is always up for a great adventure.

Parker Matthews plays for the Austin Parks and Recreation Special Olympics team, in addition to the Austin FC Unified team. He most enjoys being goalie when playing soccer. He loves to meet new people and hang out with family and friends.

Daulton Swenson graduated from Hendrickson High School in Pflugerville. He is currently working at HEB. Daulton competes in aquatics, golf, bowling, flag football, basketball, soccer and track and field. He is excited to play for Austin FC Unified Team again this year. In his spare time, he enjoys hanging out with his family, video games and playing fetch with their dog, Scout.

Gavin Shipp is a recent High School graduate in Hutto, TX. He competes in bowling, basketball, track and cheer. He enjoys working summers at Typhoon TX and volunteering to feed the homeless. Gavin's hobbies include Netflix, action movies and activities at the church.

Thrace Startzell is a Sophomore at Westlake High School. In addition to being a part of the WHS and FC Westlake soccer programs Thrace enjoys volunteering, skiing, the outdoors and spending time with family and friends. He is honored to be a Unified Partner and hopes to encourage the Athletes to have fun and help them create special memories on the pitch.

Amanda Thai, is a senior at Hendrickson High School in Pflugerville. In addition to playing soccer she steps up for her community as a member of NHS and The Locker, through which she helps collect donations for kids who are less fortunate.

Matthew Wells graduated from Stony Point HS in 2018 and is part of Hill Country Stars Team. He currently works at Planet Fitness and attends ACC-STEPS PROGRAM and his goal is to be a Para and work in the Round Rock ISD in the Athletic Dept helping others achieve their goals. Matthew has been involved in Special Olympics for 15 years and he loves being an Athlete. He participates in various sports. He was selected to attend the SPECIAL OLYMPICS 2022 USA GAMES IN FLORIDA - TEAM TEXAS BASKETBALL and brought home the Gold Medal. Matthew truly enjoys being part of Special Olympics because he loves spending and making new friends. Matthew enjoys going to the movies, playing X-Box video games, hanging out with his friends and family. He has 2 younger brothers Brett (21) and Justin (19) and 2 dogs, Penny & Gina and 1 cat Libby who loves very much.

Matthew Weiser is excited to be returning for a second season with the Austin FC unified team. When he is not playing soccer, he is competing in volleyball, softball, flag football, bowling, track and swimming. Matthew also enjoys helping his grandparents with the horses, playing cards and working at a local restaurant.

Kaylee McKinley is a sophomore at Hendrickson High School. She plays both school and club soccer, as well as school volleyball. Besides playing sports she enjoys spending time with my family and friends, reading, and being outside.

Moises Aguirre is a sophomore at Hendrickson High School. He plays varsity soccer, is part of MCJROTC program and Unified Champions. In the future he hopes to play college soccer and major in engineering.

Ike Ruiz is a Junior at Brentwood Christian School of Austin where he plays varsity soccer. Ike has played soccer since he was 3 and now enjoys volunteer coaching junior high soccer. Ike is excited to have the opportunity as a Unified Partner to assist people of all abilities play soccer.

Nate Autry is a senior at Round Rock High School. He is a captain of the high school varsity team and plays with Lonestar Soccer Club. In addition to playing soccer, he is a member of the cross-country team and several other school clubs. He plans to attend college in the fall to study mechanical engineering. He is honored to be a partner on the Unified team this year.

Illijah Ramos is a thriving Junior at Weiss High School in Pflugerville, Texas. In addition to playing soccer, he competes in bowling, basketball, aquatics, track, javelin throw and golf. Most recently he completed an internship at our state Capital in Austin. He LOVES football and enjoys going to the movies, fishing and hunting with his dad, drawing, riding his bike and playing video games. Illijah proudly owns his own company and will be kickstarting his bounce house rental business next month.

Drake Pew, who is originally from York, Pennsylvania, is a 3L at Baylor School of Law. Drake played soccer at West Chester University and continues to captain the Baylor Men’s Club Soccer team. Drake is a legal extern with Austin FC. In his free time, Drake enjoys playing with his dog, chess, gaming with the lads, and supporting the Verde!

Lewis "LJ" Henderson is a junior at Manor Senior High School where he has competed with their Special Olympics team in bowling, basketball, and soccer. His favorite class at school is Culinary Arts. He also plays rec league soccer for PAYSL. When he isn't playing sports, LJ enjoys cheering for the Texas Stars, going to sporting events, eating out with his family, and spending his summers working for Taco Cabana.