John “Wake” Mullins of Lexington, Kentucky, began competing in Special Olympics in 2006, participating in basketball, bocce, flag football, golf and softball. He will represent Special Olympics USA competing in golf with his Unified partner and stepfather Dennis Gaines. Wake has competed in three Special Olympics North America National Invitational Golf Tournaments as well as two Special Olympics USA Games, in which he was joined by his stepfather. Special Olympics has given Wake the opportunity to compete on a level playing field, building relationships in a setting in which he feels most comfortable.
Volunteering at a local golf course two days a week, Wake also has volunteer experience with the First Tee. Through a local public school, he volunteers as a mentor to at-risk students. In 2015, Wake won homecoming king at his high school, where he spent two years on the golf team. He most admires golf professional Jordan Spieth and is focused on a training regimen to better his own skills. Readying for competition in the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023, gold is his goal.