Draper resident Jordan Barlow brought home two medals from the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis, winning gold in the 25-yard backstroke and silver in the 50-yard freestyle during the June 20-26 national competition.

He also took silver in the freestyle.

Barlow, who attends Life Skills Academy in Canyons School District, clocked 17.64 seconds in the backstroke final to take first place. He trains three or four days a week with his Special Olympics team, the Salt Lake Stars, plus additional pool time with former high school swimmers, including his older sister, who helps with his starts, turns and technique.

Before the Games, his mother Mandy told the Draper Journal his record-setting goal in the 50 freestyle was within reach: "He's right there with the USA Down Syndrome record around 29 seconds; the Special Olympics record is around 26. If he gets in the 28s, we'll be ecstatic."

Barlow qualified for the national games at the Utah Summer Games in June 2025, competing in both the 50-yard freestyle and 25-yard backstroke.

Jensen represents Utah in bowling

Fellow Draper resident Elizabeth Jensen, 35, also competed at the USA Games, representing Utah as one of four bowlers on the state team. Jensen earned her spot after winning gold at the state bowling tournament in August 2025, then being selected through a lottery of qualified athletes.

Jensen, who also qualified in swimming, chose bowling because it's her favorite sport. She trains once or twice a week despite ongoing knee issues that have required multiple surgeries.

Her path to national competition defied early expectations. Jensen was not expected to survive her first day after being life-flighted to Primary Children's Hospital as a newborn. She spent her first two months hospitalized and was fed through a tube until age 5.

Jensen also won the state silver medal in dance and plays piano and ukulele.

Team Utah sent 69 delegates to Minneapolis, including 46 athletes competing in eight sports. The national games drew more than 4,000 athletes from all 50 states across 19 sports.