Every month we’ll spotlight a new Special Olympics Pennsylvania volunteer who has made an awesome impact on our community.
This month, we are proud to feature Washington County powerlifting coach, Kylee Rae Craig.
Before Kylee reached out to SOPA on social media with an interest in becoming a volunteer, Washington County didn’t have a powerlifting program. Now, they’ve got eight athletes training, including four who competed for the first time at the Western Fall Sectional at Slippery Rock University. Kylee was able to get powerlifting belts donated for her athletes and is hopeful the program will continue to grow under her leadership.
“For me, powerlifting is my job. Special Olympics has helped me be reminded of the joy in the sport again, it is AMAZING. The athletes show up excited to learn and willing to try anything.”
– Kylee Rae Craig, Washington County Powerlifting Coach
Kylee, a mom of three, also runs a dog grooming business and only began lifting three years ago. She competes for Misfit Powerlifting and currently ranks Top 5 in the world in bench press (309 lbs) and squat (518 lbs). She currently holds three national records and has spent the previous two years ranked in the top 10 in the world in her weight class. She will soon be competing at the US Nationals with hopes of qualifying for the United States Powerlifting Team!
You can read more about Kylee in this fantastic 2018 article published in the Observer-Reporter and follow her on Instagram here.
Special Olympics Pennsylvania 