A Special Olympian from Marion County will be honored nationwide on Saturday, as she participates in the pre-game coin toss for the Big 12 Championship Game.

Marissa Schletzbaum is one of two Special Olympians chosen to help flip the coin at the game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

The Big 12 annually selects a male and female Special Olympian from the five states with schools in the conference. She and fellow Special Olympian Andrew Bowen from Oklahoma will also be recognized during a time-out.

Marissa tells KNIA/KRLS News she’s “thrilled and humbled” to be chosen to take part.

Schletzbaum has participated in Special Olympics in Iowa for 16 years, taking part in sports including bowling, track and field, bocce, basketball and dance. She is a six-time gold medalist at the State Olympic Games, and is a Global Messenger for Special Olympics.

At Pleasantville High School, Marissa took part in golf, cross-country and cheerleading; she is now the owner of Straw Hat Farms.

The game between Oklahoma and Texas will air on ABC at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday.