Berks County swimmer Kylah Schlott is returning home from the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games as a two-time medalist after winning a gold medal and a bronze medal while representing Team Pennsylvania in Minnesota.
Schlott captured gold in the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 3:29.85, beating her previous personal best of 4:00.35 by more than 30 seconds. She later earned bronze in the 100-yard medley, setting another personal record with a time of 1:49.53.
She later added a bronze medal in the 100-yard medley, setting another personal record with a time of 1:49.53.
Schlott competed in swimming as one of 91 athletes and Unified Partners representing Team Pennsylvania at the Special Olympics USA Games, held June 20-26 at the University of Minnesota. The national competition, held every four years, brought together approximately 3,000 athletes from across the United States.
A longtime Special Olympics Pennsylvania athlete, Schlott has participated in swimming, gymnastics, soccer and floorball over the past 18 years. This marked her first appearance at the USA Games.
Outside of competition, Schlott works as a cafeteria assistant at the Muhlenberg School District Elementary Center. She has also volunteered alongside her family at Opportunity House and The Fairy Godmother Project. Diagnosed with epilepsy at age six, she recently underwent a 48-hour EEG that showed no abnormal brain activity and is now seizure-free.
To celebrate her accomplishments, Reading Mayor Eddie Morán announced that the city, in partnership with the Reading Police Department, Reading Fire Department and Muhlenberg Township Police Department, will escort Schlott home during a community procession on Saturday, June 27.
The procession is expected to begin around 3 p.m. at the Penn Street Bridge before traveling west on Penn Street, north on North Fifth Street, and continuing to Temple after an escort transfer near the Papa Johns restaurant on Fifth Street Highway.
Morán, who serves as an assistant Special Olympics soccer coach in Berks County and has coached Schlott, organized the welcome home celebration.
“I’ve had the privilege of being an assistant coach where Kylah has participated, and watching her earn this gold medal has been incredibly prideful,” Morán said. “She represents everything Special Olympics stands for—hard work, perseverance, and heart. We wanted to make sure she received the welcome home she deserves.”
Residents are encouraged to safely gather along the procession route to congratulate Schlott as she returns home following her historic performance.
According to the City of Reading, Schlott became Team Pennsylvania’s first gold medalist at the 2026 USA Games and the first Berks County athlete to win a gold medal at the national event.