U.S. Paralympics Track and Field National Championships Begin
Posted Friday, 6 July, 2007
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Many of America's finest Paralympic track & field athletes are set to battle at the 2007 U.S. Paralympics Track & Field National Championships this weekend at Marietta High School in Marietta, GA. The meet is the sole qualifying event for the 2007 Parapan American Games in Brazil and is also designed to help develop future Paralympic athletes and promote the club/team aspect of track & field.
More than 200 athletes from seven countries will compete, including the athletes listed below. As the number of competitors for this year's event has increased, fast times and good marks are sure to follow.
Also included in this year's competition is a small contingency of military veterans, several of whom are aiming to qualify for the U.S. Paralympics Track & Field National Team.
The competition will also feature an All-Comers Division, which is an opportunity for newer athletes to compete in the event on a novice/intermediate level. Events in the All Comers Division feature the 100m, 200m, 400m, javelin, discus and shot put.
2007 U.S. Paralympics Track & Field National Team Roster
MEN
Jordan Bird (Wichita, KS)
Adam Bleakney (Savoy, IL)
Jeremy Campbell (Chula Vista, CA/Perryton, TX)
Edwin Cockrell (New Athens, IL)
Scott Danberg (Cooper City, FL)
Ryan Fann (Brush Creek, TN)
Brian Frasure (Apex, NC)
Joshua George (Champaign, IL/Herndon, VA)
Peter Gottwald Jr. (Boothwyn, PA)
Josiah Jamison (Chula Vista, CA)
Donald Kosakowski (Oxford, CT)
Royal Mitchell (Chula Vista, CA/Ardmore, PA)
Abe Sauer (Johnstown, CO)
Marlon Shirley (Chula Vista, CA/Tremonton, UT)
Jeff Skiba (Chula Vista, CA/Sammamish, WA)
Casey Tibbs (San Diego, CA/San Antonio, TX)
WOMEN
Cheri Blauwet (Palo Alto, CA)
Jessica Galli (Savoy, IL)
April Holmes (Chula Vista, CA/Somerdale, PA)
Jill Kennedy (Palmyra, VA)
Tatyana McFadden (Clarksville, MD)
Amanda McGrory (Champaign, IL)
Christina Ripp (Denver, CO)
For the second year running, BlazeSports America, a partner organization of U.S. Paralympics, will host the competition.
To check out the competition schedule, go to www.blazesports.org. The event is free and open to the public.
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