Curran Fuller had never played on a sports team before he joined Westlake High School's Unified basketball program. In June, he competed on a national stage in Minneapolis and came home with a bronze medal.

Fuller was one of 10 athletes from the Alpine School District, which serves the Utah County side of Draper, who represented Team Utah at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, held June 20 to June 26. The squad of Life Skills students and peer tutors from Westlake High and ATEC-West in Saratoga Springs won bronze in Interscholastic Unified Division 3 basketball, finishing third in the nation after six months of preparation.

The Unified Sports program pairs students with intellectual disabilities alongside peer tutors who practice and compete together. Head coach Loretta McClure, who has led Alpine's Unified program since 2018, called the trip to Minneapolis one of the most rewarding experiences of her coaching career.

"The excitement and pride in their eyes is something I will never forget," McClure said in the district's announcement published Thursday, July 17.

For Curran's mother, Aimee Fuller, the transformation went far beyond basketball. She said the program dramatically boosted her son's self-esteem, social skills, and coordination, giving him a group of friends and teammates who helped him come out of his shell.

Student-athlete Ryker, identified by first name only in the district's account, described himself as "always more of a loner" before joining the team two years ago. He said earning bronze exceeded his expectations and that his original goal was simply to see how far the team could go together.

Peer tutor Eli said he loved learning from his teammates. "They all see the world in such an amazing way," he said.

McClure said the friendships formed in practice carry into hallways and classrooms, with peer tutors and Life Skills students spending time together outside of games. "Unified has become more than a sports program; it is a culture of belonging that has positively impacted our entire school community," she said.

The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games drew nearly 3,000 athletes from all 50 states across 16 sports, according to ESPN.

Families interested in the Unified Sports or Life Skills programs can contact the Alpine School District's Special Education department at (801) 610-8200.