Lea is an ambassador for Best Buddies, a nonprofit that helps people with intellectual disabilities, and competes in Special Olympics competitions. The 26-year-old Taneytown, Md., resident is participating in the Audi Best Buddies Challenge in the District on Oct. 22 — a cycling, walking and running event that raises funds for the organization — and is preparing for the cycling world championships in late September.
How did you get involved in Best Buddies?
My mom helped start a chapter at my high school.
What are you looking forward to about the Best Buddies Challenge in October?
I like riding the long ride — I will ride the 100k ride and like to try and stay with the fast riders. I was first one time in the Boston Best Buddies 100-mile ride — I beat everyone!
You’re also active in the Special Olympics. What events do you participate in and what are some of your accomplishments?
I race bikes, skiing, speedskating, ride horses and now I am learning to row, since rowing for athletes like me is being added most likely to the 2016 Paralympic Games. I also do Xterra races and won the adaptive division at Rocky Gap, Md., Xterra this past July. I also am the CRASH-B (Charles River All Star Has-Beens) indoor rowing world champion in the intellectual disability division. I also was second at the USA Track and Field cross country 5k championships for intellectual disability athletes a few years ago. … I am going to race the world championships for athletes with intellectual disabilities in Genoa, Italy. The cycling events are Sept. 27 to Oct. 1. [I have] seven gold medals in cycling Special Olympics World Games — three from Athens. … I also have been an athlete official for World Games speedskating.
