Athlete highlight: Shelby Somers
What is your favorite part about being on the Switchbacks Unified Team?
Working hard with the Unified Switchbacks
What got you interested in joining the Switchbacks Unified Team?
Having team bounding
What are some goals you would like to achieve in future soccer seasons?
Run hard and work hard
What are some things that you are looking forward to about the 2025 season?
Playing soccer with the team and having fun with the team
Team Member Highlight: Yariv Ben-Naim
What was your favorite memory from the season?
My favorite memory was traveling to Wisconsin in July for the first ever time in my life and scoring the game winning penalty kick goal.
What is your favorite part about being on the Switchbacks Unified Team?
My favorite part about the Switchbacks Unified Team is that it is such a fun experience playing side by side on a co-ed team with people of all ability levels helping each other. Another favorite part about being on the Switchbacks Unified Team is meeting new people, making new friends, being included, traveling with the team
What got you interested in joining the Switchbacks Unified Team?
I went to UCCS and studied Sports Management, and have a passion for sports and was required to do an internship. Around 2020-21, I networked with Josh Middleton, Erich Wark and Jon Taylor and was selected to create the first ever Unified Special Olympics Team of the USL (The United Soccer League) Championship League.
What are your favorite sports teams?
My favorite sports teams are the Denver Broncos football team, the Denver Nuggets basketball team and the Colorado Avalanche hockey team.
What are three goals you would like to achieve in future soccer seasons?
- Score at least one goal per game
- Learn to try a different position and a different roommate whenever traveling
- Travel to different places
What are three things you are looking forward to about next year?
- Traveling to new states and meeting new teams
- Hanging out with my friends, teammates and coaches
- Scrimmaging with different groups
How would you define success in Unified Athletics?
I would define success in unified athletics by explaining that your goal is not just to win no matter what the score is but to always try your best, improve your skills and never giving up. Unified Switchbacks is not just about winning, it’s about sharing experiences together, building friendships and showing that people with disabilities should be included in our community, and in the sports world.
What are your favorite hobbies outside of soccer?
- Playing sports like basketball, soccer golf and bowling
- Swimming in the pool and working out in the gym
- Taking Coach Justin’s dog Ragamuffin out on walks
- Hanging out with friends (one of these hobbies include watching Football Games and Nuggets games with my friend Alexandria (a peer partner on the Switchbacks Unified Team) and her friend group
Athlete Highlight: Candice Edmiston
What was your favorite memory from the 2024 season?
Meeting new people, traveling and being a close family and helping sell out T-Shirts
What is your favorite part about being on the Switchbacks Unified Team?
My teammates and and coaches teaching me alot
What got you interested in joining the Switchbacks Unified Team?
My coaches from my Special Olympics soccer team handed me the paper and told me you can do this
What are three goals you would like to achieve in future soccer seasons?
- Be the best goalie
- Travel to more places
- Be able to pass the ball better to my teammates
What are your favorite hobbies and things to do outside of soccer?
Basketball, drawing, hiking, helping in the community at my day program
How do you define success in athletics?
It’s not just winning but to have fun and grow
What are three things you are looking forward to this year?
- Traveling and meeting new teams and scrimmaging with different groups
- Hanging out with my teammates and coaches
- Playing at Weidner Field
Peer Partner Highlight: Alan Bayon
My favorite memory from the 2025 season was when we went to the farm in Iowa and got to do the corn maze as a team bonding experience.
What is your favorite part about being on the Switchbacks Unified and Project Inspire Team?
My favorite part about being on the Switchbacks Unified Team and helping with Project Inspire is getting to play the game that I love with some of my best friends and share my passion for soccer.
What got you interested in joining the Switchbacks Unified Team?
My good friend Yariv Ben-Naim got me interested in the Switchbacks Unified Team. I was excited for the opportunity to play on the same team as him and share my knowledge of the game.
What are three goals that you would like to achieve in future soccer seasons?
Three goals that I would have for future seasons would be to (1) continue to improve and help my teammates improve, (2) get better at communicating instructions on the field and to (3) finally beat Union Omaha.
What are your favorite hobbies and things to do outside of soccer?
My favorite hobbies and things to do outside of soccer are (1) hang out with my family, whether that would be going on trails or to the park and (2) go fishing and (3) play video games.
How would you define success in Unified athletics?
Success in Unified athletics to me is making everyone feel a part of not just a team but a club and making sure each person is getting something out of the experience, such as having fun, improving in the sport or just hanging out and making new friends.
What are things that you look forward to about the 2026 season?
I am looking forward to (1) getting to play and hangout with my friends/teammates and (2) continue to improve on the field with them
Coach highlight: Kayla Fortner
What was your favorite memory from the 2024 season?
I don’t really have one. Every time we practice or get together it’s a great time and something happens that’s memorable
What is your favorite part about being a part of the Switchbacks Unified Team?
My favorite thing about being a part of the Unified Team is the people, every single person on this team or part of it is amazing and I love being around them and am so glad that other people get to see how amazing everybody is.
What got you interested in being a part of the Switchbacks Unified Team?
I have some family members who are special needs and they are the greatest people but people always see them a little differently, and the Unified Team is such a great way to show everyone that people with disabilities aren’t any different than people who don’t have disabilities and I love that we get to show that and help people understand more.
What are three goals that you would like to see the team achieve in future soccer seasons?
- Grow the Unified Program with more teams
- Grow our own unified team with more players and peer partners
- Being able to be there more. I have a busy life and wish I could be there more often
What are your favorite hobbies and things to do outside of soccer?
I obviously love spending time with my daughter and family. I also enjoy reading (that’s my downtime).
How do you define success in athletics?
I think success in athletics comes down to teaching the athletes all about sportsmanship and hardworking. There are a lot of valuable life lessons that can come out of sports if taught the right way and I think that leaves players with a successful future in sports and life as well.
What are three things you look forward to this year?
Lastly I’m looking forward to these athletes showing everyone that they can do this and are capable as anybody else.
Seeing the athletes improve in all the aspects of soccer whether it be foot skills, shooting, passing and fitness.
Being around the players, they are incredible and bring out the best in me and other people.
Project Inspire Coach Highlight: Nick Suarez
There were many memorable moments throughout the year but the one that stands the most was our match against Spokane for first place in Knoxville, Tennessee. It was during the game that our athletes executed our plan to perfection.
What is your favorite part about being a part of the Switchbacks Unified and Project Inspire Team?
Teaching young adult athletes the fundamentals of soccer and valuable life skills has been truly rewarding. Despite the challenges they may face, their passion, determination and love for the game remind us all that limitations do not define potential. Every time they step onto the field, they prove that with heart and perseverance, anything is possible.
What got you interested in joining the Switchbacks Unified Team?
My interest in joining the team came from two main reasons. First there was no program like this in New Mexico for my daughter Alexis, Second, I was deeply inspired by how the Switchbacks FC Unified Program was organized and the positive impact it had on its athletes. Seeing their unity, passion and purpose motivated me to help bring the same opportunity and experience to others.
What are three goals that you would like to achieve in future soccer seasons?
My goals for future seasons are simple. First, I want to ensure that every athlete has fun and truly enjoys the game. Second, I aim to help them grow – not only in their soccer skills but also in their understanding of the sport, and third, I want to see them carry the lessons and values we teach on the field into everyday lives.
What are your favorite hobbies and things to do outside of soccer?
Although I have many hobbies and interests, traveling and exploring the world are among my greatest passions. I’ve been fortunate to visit over 40 countries and 40 states, each experience broadening my perspective for different cultures. In my free time, I also enjoy woodworking, crafting custom pens and capturing life’s moments through photography.
How would you define success in Unified Athletics?
I define success for Unified Athletics and Peer Partners by their commitment to show up for practices and matches. When they take time out of their day to be there, it shows their willingness to learn, grow, and continue embracing both the sport and valuable life skills. Each time I notice their progress, their improvement in their confidence, ability, and teamwork. That, to me, is the true epitome of success. and bring out the best in me and other people.
Meet Our Partners:
Sponsor Highlight: CommonSpirit
CommonSpirit Health is a nonprofit, faith-based health system with over 2,200 care sites and 140 hospitals across 24 states. We’re committed to advancing health equity and serving communities with compassion and dignity.
We proudly support the Colorado Springs Switchbacks Unified Team because we believe in inclusion, teamwork, and celebrating every individual’s unique strengths. Learn more at mountain.commonspirit.org.
Sponsor Highlight: Colorado Springs Down Syndrome Association
The Colorado Springs Down Syndrome Association is an all volunteer organization that fundraises and provides services and support to our members’ families who have an individual with down syndrome. We provide social activities, educational, as well as recreational opportunities. Several of our members have participated on the Switchbacks Special Olympics Unified Team and our families enjoy attending and watching the games
Sponsor Highlight: Keller Williams Clients Choice Realty (Ilanit Ben-Naim & Joyce Williams Heffner)
At Keller Williams Clients’ Choice, we believe in building meaningful connections and creating a sense of belonging for everyone in our community. Sponsoring the Switchbacks Unified Team is a natural extension of our values—it’s about coming alongside others, celebrating teamwork, and supporting opportunities where every individual can thrive. We’re proud to partner with an organization that brings people together through the power of sports and shared purpose.
Sponsor Highlight: Big O’Tires
I’m David Largent, the owner of the Big O’Tires in Falcon and our new location in Colorado Springs at Marksheffel and Woodmen. We’ve been part of the Colorado community for over 20 years, and supporting programs like this is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do. Inclusion of people with disabilities is something that’s very close to my heart. I’ve always loved the game of soccer and it brings me real joy to help create opportunities for everyone to experience the fun, connection, and pride that comes with being part of the team. Watching these athletes compete and support each other is inspiring, and a great reminder of what makes this community so special. I’m also incredibly thankful to the City of Colorado Springs, Special Olympics of Colorado, the Switchbacks, and everyone who helps make this happen. It’s a real team effort – and we’re proud to be a part of it.
Sponsor Highlight (Southern Mesa Construction):
At Southern Mesa, we specialize in residential and commercial construction, creating spaces where people can gather, connect and thrive. Everything we do is rooted in community because we believe the best spaces are the ones shared with others. That’s why we’re proud to sponsor the Switchbacks Unified Team. Supporting inclusive programs that bring people together through sports reflects the same values we bring to every project: connect, teamwork, and opportunity for all.
