Every four years athletes around the country compete at the USA Special Olympic Games, and this year Minnesota was honored as the host state. From June 20-26, people gathered at the University of Minnesota and other metro facilities to watch, cheer on, and celebrate these athletes.
Two Lakeville residents were among those competing, Cassie Haeg and Caden Roseth (class of Lakeville South 2024).
The announcement of the games’ participants was released in spring 2025, and despite both athletes’ history of playing tennis, this was the largest stage they have performed on. They knew they had to train well to ensure success on the court and have fun.
Haeg explained how she kept both her physical and mental health in check during training.
“I think a lot of it is that anxiety and pressure and making sure that I am in a healthy state and mind so that I can give it my hundred percent and give it my best. I really do believe I applied that and I did my best and I’m really proud of myself.”
To train for the games, Haeg also understood that she needed to amp up her daily training hours.
“The moment that I heard that I got selected, I was all in,” she said. “A lot of extra tennis practices, sacrificing some different times and different things that I love to do and prioritizing tennis. Even if it was raining, just doing little things inside that I could do and going to the gym more and just really, really building up my strength and mentality.”
Roseth followed a similar idea, and he made sure to get in as many reps as possible before the week-long games. As an experienced athlete who also played for the Blazing Cats, a co-adapted Minnesota sports team, he explained that he would practice with different teammates, coaches, and family members to build up his skill-set.
“He had a bunch of friends that hit with him. Luke hit with him quite a bit, he played for Gustavus. His Lakeville South teammate Ethan hit with him and his brother Hunter,” his father Doug Roseth explained.
The hard work paid off, as Roseth received a bronze medal in the level six singles category and placed fourth in the level six doubles event.
Haeg stated that while she was nervous, she trusted in the process.
“I was kind of nervous a little bit for the first few days throughout the event. I know that they changed up a lot of the things and it is the first time that Minnesota ever has had tennis in their home state for a national competition. So I know it was something that everyone was kind of figuring out.”
She continued to compete in the level six women’s division, where she was awarded a bronze medal, and doubles, placing fifth alongside her teammate.
Being selected to represent Minnesota takes time and effort, and each athlete was honored to qualify.
“I think my favorite part was remembering that Special Olympics isn’t just about sports, and that is a primary focus, but I love the opportunity to encourage others to be more like themselves,” Haeg said. “Whether it was a dance party and people were kind of scared to dance, I would dance with them and make them feel welcome and make them feel like they could be themselves more.”
Roseth was thrilled to be a part of a team and accomplish something new.
“I am glad that I could help team Minnesota win the USA games. I like being part of a team,” he said.
His father continued on, “Team Minnesota won the most medals out of all the states. So he’s excited that he helped contribute to that, being part of that team. This is definitely at the top, getting a bronze at the top level.”
This year’s USA Games invite was a first for Haeg and Roseth, and while winning a medal is something they’re both proud of, they also made memories with the other athletes from around the U.S.
Roseth explained that he enjoyed spending time with everyone.
“I had a lot of fun hanging out with my teammates, coaches, and other people from all over the country,” he said.
His father added, “I want to say every state was represented, which was pretty amazing, pretty surreal.”
“It means the world to me,” Haeg said. “I love any opportunity I can share about how important Special Olympics is and how wonderful Minnesota is and how it’s all one big family. It kind of reminded me of another Minnesota get-together experience. I love that we got to share that with 50 different states.”
The Special Olympic Games meant more than competition, it was a stage for the athletes to be their most authentic selves.
“I love during the whole event that no matter what happened, no matter what challenges I had, I stayed positive and I stayed kind. Other people were inspired by that too,” Haeg said. “They told me how good my sportsmanship was and how happy I was and how it’s not about me winning a gold medal. I came there to play and I came there to rep for Minnesota. I didn’t just come there to win.”
Roseth is currently celebrating his recent win, but his dreams don’t stop there. He’s already thinking about the next games and what he can accomplish there.
“(I) hope that I get picked to play in the USA games in 2030,” he said.
His dad and him agreed that winning a gold medal in the next games is his goal.
The 2030 Special Olympic USA Games will be held in Cleveland, Ohio. More information about the organization can be found at their website https://2026specialolympicsusagames.org/.