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 2018 Para Athlete All-Scholastics

JUNE 29, 2018

Six of Greater Boston’s top high school Para sport athletes are honored by the Globe.

 

 

College lacrosse player scores in her first game after leg amputation

There were two things Noelle Lambert said she never really doubted: that, in the instant after her moped accident, her left leg was “gone” and that she would play college lacrosse again. Read More >>>>

 

 

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April 14, 2018 – The number of races Chaz Davis has competed in totals well into the hundreds, yet on Monday, he finally gets to run in the event that inspired it all.

He’s checking the Boston Marathon off his bucket list, as a qualifier who could finish well up among the top 150. Before he was born, his uncle, Brad Hanson, completed Hopkinton-to-Boston jaunts in the early ’90s. Relatives telling stories about those journeys inspired Davis.  Read more >>>>

 

 

How Training for the Paralympics Became a Full-Time Job

PYEONGCHANG, South Korea — The delegations ruling the medal table at the Paralympics share a common trait: During the past decade they decided to invest the resources necessary to afford their athletes the same respect, coaching, equipment and opportunities that able-bodied athletes receive. >>> Read article

 

 

 

 

  Dan Cnossen, double-amputee Navy SEAL, wins Paralympic biathlon gold

Dan Cnossen came to the Paralympics with quite the résumé: purusing his second master’s degrees from Harvard. A Bronze Star with Valor and a Purple Heart. The only double-amputee Navy SEAL in history, according to TeamUSA.org.>>> Read More.

Playing hockey while blind

One thing to know about blind hockey: it’s unapologetically loud. Read More >>>

 

 

 


Nashoba Tech’s Kimball may be legally blind, but he still possesses great vision

James Kimball sees a world of possibilities in every step he takes during his race through life.  Kimball is a legally blind cross-country runner at Nashoba Tech who refuses to be defined by his vision impairment. His inner strength and competitive spirit have helped Kimball surge to the head of the pack in all that he does, with no finish line in sight when it comes to what he can accomplish.

 TEAM USA – FEMITA AYANBEKU: “LIFE AFTER AMPUTATION CAN STILL BE GREAT”

Femita had an accident at age 11 which resulted in part of her right leg being amputated. Her altered body caused her to develop a negative body image for much of her childhood but she didn’t internalize the social stigma she experienced nor allowed her disability to define or stop her from pursuing her goals. Today, 25 year old Femita is a graduate, Founder of non-profit organization Limb-it-less Creations Incorporated, and 2016 US gold national medalist for 100M after just 6 months of training! Femita oozes strength of mind! read on as we connect with her.


Becca Pizzi trains blind eighth grader for Tufts Health Plan 10K

 Madeleine Babcock and Becca Pizzi seem like an unlikely pair. Pizzi, a world-champion runner and local celebrity, would appear to have little overlap with a somewhat reserved eighth-grader from Chenery Middle School. But here they sit, side by side at a table outside the Bellmont Caffe on a sunny Saturday afternoon, and the mutual respect and affection is palpable. How did the bond between them come about?  Read more >>>>

 

 

Visually impaired kids have cool experience on the ice

A special hockey program is giving blind students the chance to get out on the ice for an exhilarating whirl around the Bruins training facility.  Read More >>>>

 

 

 

  Ballplayer Gets Back In Batter’s Box With Beep Baseball

 

 

 

 

2017 Para Athlete All-Scholastics

With the MIAA establishing adaptive competition in sports such as swimming and track & field, the Globe will now recognize para athletes in our seasonal All-Scholastic sections. Joe Walsh, president of Adaptive Sports New England, assisted in the selection of the first five honorees.   http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/high-schools

 

  Kids demonstrate the ultimate form of sportsmanship

 

 

 

One-on-one with Joe Walsh ’84, adaptive sports visionary

While at Dartmouth, Joe Walsh ’84 discovered a love for cross-country skiing. That love launched a Paralympic career for the Braintree, Massachusetts native, who went on to work for the U.S. National Team. In 2009, he founded Adaptive Sports New England, a nonprofit which seeks to increase participation in sports among young adults in New England with visual, mobility and physical impairments.  Read More >>>  http://www.thedartmouth.com/article/2017/01/one-on-one-with-joe-walsh-adaptive-sports-visionary

 

 

Champion Magazine – Seeing it Through

Chaz Davis silenced a slew of familiar fears as he joined the swarm of runners who toed the starting line. Clad in the colorful singlets of their schools, the men bounced and fidgeted in anticipation. Before them lay a grassy 8-kilometer cross country course that had become lined with fans.  Davis couldn’t see any of it – not his competition, not the course, not the teammates he knew were by his side.
Read more >>> http://www.ncaa.org/static/champion/seeing-it-through/

 

 

competitor-logoVisually Impaired Runner Chaz Davis Runs Record-Breaking Marathon

Chaz Davis ran quite a debut marathon on Sunday at the California International Marathon in Sacramento.  While his 2:31:48 result would be a strong effort for any first-time marathoner, his finish time is especially remarkable given that he is visually impaired and that he only really trained for the 26.2-mile distance for about six weeks.   Read more  >>>
http://running.competitor.com/2016/12/news/visually-impaired-runner-chaz-davis-runs-record-breaking-23148-marathon_159896

 

 

Matt’s story: No obstaclesbch-sports-medicine

Ninja warriors are used to obstacles, but few have faced what Matt has. After his leg was amputated following a car crash, Matt approached his recovery with grit and determination. Today, he’s a lacrosse star, ninja warrior and role model.  Read More >>>> https://thriving.childrenshospital.org/amputee-becomes-lacrosse-star-thriving-blog/

 

 

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John Conceison: Chaz Davis reflects on Paralympic experience

What probably stunned Chaz Davis the most in the Olympic Village has him chuckling today. “The lines at the McDonald’s,” Davis said. “When I’m here in the U.S., I never go to McDonald’s.”  But remember, Davis was taking part in the Olympic/Paralympic experience. While the Golden Arches have never claimed to be an athlete’s most nutritious route, the competitors, including many Americans, could well have been playing it safe with the food, not being familiar with Brazilian cuisine.  Read More >>> http://www.telegram.com/sports/20160924/john-conceison-chaz-davis-reflects-on-paralympic-experience

 

 

wcax-logoDana’s top fan powering her push to Rio

PUTNEY, Vt. –In all of the equipment Alicia Dana puts on before a big ride, the most important piece of gear is one you can’t see. It’s the heart on her sleeve.   “It can feel a little overwhelming at times. I have my moments of sort of, panic,” Dana said.  Read More >>> http://www.wcax.com/story/33034187/danas-top-fan-powering-her-push-to-rio

 

 

wbur2 Mass. Paralympians — A Sailor And A Runner — Find Empowerment In Their Sports

Three years ago, Chaz Davis, of Grafton, was a freshman at the University of Hartford. He was doing well in school and running on the track and cross country teams, when he had a crushing medical setback.  “One day in March I woke up and my right eye, I could really not see too much out of it at all,” Davis recalls.  Read More >>> http://www.wbur.org/all-things-considered/2016/09/14/davis-mckinnon-paralympians

 

espn_redDiverse U.S. Paralympic rowers pull in same direction, toward Rio gold

BRIGHTON, Mass. — It was only .26 seconds, but it might as well have been forever. For years, the United States had been chasing the British in para-rowing, and last year at the World Rowing Championships in Aiguebelette-le-Lac, France, the U.S. almost caught them.  Read More >>>  http://scores.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/17419786/diverse-us-paralympic-rowers-single-minded-their-goal-winning-gold-rio

 

DorchReporterParalympic runner wins first place in Martin Richard Memorial One Mile Race

Paralympic runner Chaz Davis, who is legally blind, won the annual Martin Richard Memorial One Mile Invitational, which was held on Aug. 18 at Moakley Park in South Boston. The event honors the life of Dorchester’s own Martin Richard and benefits the YES program and the Martin Richard Foundation.  Read More >> http://www.dotnews.com/2016/paralympic-runner-wins-first-place-martin-richard-memorial-one-mile-ra

Grafton News

Rio bound, Davis never lost sight of running

AUGUST 28, 2016 – In just about a month one of Grafton’s own will be heading to Rio to participate in the 2016 Paralympic Games.  Chaz Davis qualified as part of Team USA’s track and field team for the 1,500 meter and 5,000 meter track races during nationals at Charlotte, North Carolina in June. His time of 4:05 for the 1,500 and the 15:25 for the 5,000 were not his personal best, but they were enough to garner a coveted team spot.  Read More >>>>  http://www.thegraftonnews.com/rio-bound-davis-never-lost-sight-of-running-2/

 

Fox 61 Hartford

Blind runner from UHart heading to Paralympic Games

Chaz Davis of Grafton, Massachusetts, lost his vision three years ago to a rare disease while he was a freshman at the University of Hartford.  Read more and see video >>

 

 

 

Salem NewsFrom Danvers to Rio: Cailin Currie to swim at Paralympic Games – The Salem News

The quest for gold in Rio did not end with Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky.  Danvers’ own Cailin Currie will swim in the same pool where those Olympic stars earned their medals when she competes in the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro next month.  Read more >> http://www.salemnews.com/news/local_news/from-danvers-to-rio-cailin-currie-to-swim-at-paralympic/article_ce7c7763-b042-5d94-b06e-eda28cf0652e.html

 

Coach KChaz Davis Interviewed on the Coach K Show

Chaz’s story is one of overcoming major adversity in the pursuit of a dream. He attended the University of Hartford as a D1 track and field athlete before being diagnosed with a degenerative disease that left him legally blind in both eyes during his freshman season. Read More >> http://www.thecoachkshow.com/ep9/

 

Chris Waddell named NBC analyst for Paralympic Games broadcast

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Stamford, Conn. – August 18, 2016 – Carolyn Manno leads an experienced roster of commentators as NBC Olympics presents more than 70 hours of coverage of the 2016 Paralympic Games from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, across NBC, NBCSN, and the NBC Sports app.

NBC Olympics’ coverage of the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games begins Wednesday, September 7, at 7 p.m. ET on NBCSN, with the Opening Ceremony.  Read More >>

Littleton’s Erich Manser a top-visually impaired triathlete

wickedlocal-littletonLITTLETON (July 25, 2016) Most people think of triathlons as an individual sport.
Some athletes may train as a team and in events like the Appleman Triathlon, teams can enter a relay division with separate people swimming, cycling and running. For the most part, however, once the starting gun sounds, they’re in the water and on the roads by themselves.

 

 

12-year-old Belmont swimmer is heading to the Paralympic trials

BELMONT (June 18, 2016) – Madeleine Babcock loves to race. And at the end of the month, while many of her peers will be settling into summer vacation, the 12-year-old from Belmont will be competing in Charlotte, North Carolina, for a spot on the U.S. Paralympic Swim Team.

 

 

 

 

Worcester Telegram logo Paralympic runner revs up athletes at Worcester Field Day

WORCESTER (June 1, 2016) – Jerome Singleton’s infectious smile couldn’t help but excite the young Worcester public schools track and field athletes at Wednesday’s Field Day.

 

 

 

US Sailing LogoMaureen McKinnon of Marblehead and Skipper Ryan Porteous  Earn Place On U.S. Paralympic Sailing Team for Rio (Sept. 7-18)

Portsmouth, R.I. –  Ryan Porteous (San Diego, Calif.) and Maureen McKinnon (Marblehead, Mass.) have earned selection to the Rio 2016 U.S. Paralympic Sailing Team based on the results of the US Sailing Paralympic Athlete Selection Series in the two-person keelboat. – See more at: http://www.ussailing.org/porteous-and-mckinnon-skud-18-earn-place-on-u-s-paralympic-sailing-team/#sthash.i23ER2Ld.dpuf

 

 

Madeleine Babcock to compete in U.S. Paralympic trials in June

Press-BelmontCitizenHerald

Born with glaucoma and aniridia, conditions that left her blind in her right eye and with extremely poor vision (20 / 400) in her left, Madeleine Babcock has had to employ some unconventional techniques to pursue her love of swimming.

 

Belmont Citizen-Herald: Madeleine Babcock trains for 2020 Tokyo Paralympics

Press-BelmontCitizenHeraldMadeleine Babcock, 12 1/2, who is legally blind, trains in the Higginbottom Pool at Belmont High School during the Belmont Aquatic Team practice on Wednesday, April 13, 2016. Madeleine has the hope of making the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.

 

 

Boston Magazine: Katrina Gerhard’s Marathon Journey Began When She Stopped Walking

Boston Magazine

In eighth grade, the Acton resident took up the family tradition of folk dancing. She joined a sword-dancing group in Sudbury, practicing with the hope of competing in high school. Then she broke her collarbone.

 

ORR coach teams up with physically impaired athletes

SippicanlogoBLACKFor physically disabled athletes, there may not be a better high school in the state than Old Rochester Regional, at least that’s how senior Josh Winsper, freshman Mikayla Chandler and their parents feel.

 

 

Hartford Courant: In State First, Wheelchair Athletes Compete On Their High School Track Teams

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At a track and field meet hosted by Canton High School, Marquez and Newman became the first wheelchair athletes in state history to compete alongside their able-bodied high school peers as full members of their teams

 

WVIT – NBC Connecticut News at 6; Hartford & New Haven

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See television coverage of first-ever wheelchair race among Connecticut high school student athletes – Tuesday, April 11, 2016.

BostInno Approved: What To Do This Weekend, 4/22/16, Paralympic Experience

bostinnoThe Paralympic Experience is a one-day, multi-sport introductory clinic where individuals who have physical disabilities or visual impairments of any age can try a sport for the first time, get expert coaching, learn about local programs and be with others interested in adaptive sports.

 

Acton-Boxborough Beacon: Katrine Gerhard Will Race Boston Marathon in her Wheelchair

acton_logoKatrina Gerhard of Acton will race the 26.2 miles of the Boston Marathon April 18 in her wheelchair alongside her teammates on the University of Illinois wheelchair racing team, which is combined with the junior U.S. Paralympics wheelchair racing team.

 

The Sun Chronicle: Swimming to her dream – Feb 21, 2016

the sun chronicleElise Morley is shooting for gold – a gold medal, that is.

Born without a left hand, the 15-year-old Norton resident hasn’t let her disability get in the way of her dreams of becoming a competitive swimmer, and she’s aiming to someday compete in the Paralympic Games.

 

Taunton Daily Gazette: Norton Swimmer Overcomes Mobility Impairment – Feb 17

taunton-daily-gazette-epaper-13a197-w192Elise Morley is a unique, special individual.  Morley, who has no left hand, has overcome her mobility impairment and pushed herself to new heights in a sport she loves — swimming.  Now the 15-year old Norton freshman student is one step closer toward her goal of one day reaching the Paralympic Games.

 

 

The Boston Globe: MIAA launches initiative for adaptive athletes

Boston Globe logoAttention high school students with disabilities: The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association wants you.
The MIAA is launching an initiative aimed at increasing participation in adaptive sports in the current school year.

 

The Harvard Crimson: Nicky Maxwell Set To Make History With Harvard Men’s Track and Field Team

The London native will become the first NCAA-certified sprinter in history to compete with a prosthetic running device.

 

The Boston Globe: ECAC is opening up its sport to adaptive athletes

Boston Globe logoAnxious parents of high school athletes keep calling the Connecticut headquarters of the Eastern College Athletic Conference. They want to know: Will my daughter be able to play for a league title in wheelchair basketball? Will my son be able to compete in sled hockey as a varsity athlete? What about sitting volleyball, wheelchair rugby, and goalball?

The ECAC’s answer: Yes, yes, yes.

 

MIAA launches initiative for adaptive athletes

Boston Globe logoAttention high school students with disabilities: The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association wants you.

The MIAA is launching an initiative aimed at increasing participation in adaptive sports in the current school year. Last week, an e-mail was sent to all MIAA principals and athletic directors outlining the initiative.

 

 

ECAC is opening up its sports to adaptive athletes

Boston Globe logoAnxious parents of high school athletes keep calling the Connecticut headquarters of the Eastern College Athletic Conference. They want to know: Will my daughter be able to play for a league title in wheelchair basketball? Will my son be able to compete in sled hockey as a varsity athlete? What about sitting volleyball, wheelchair rugby, and goalball?

The ECAC’s answer: Yes, yes, yes.

 

Boston Public Radio Talks to ECAC

Boston Public RadioWGBH 88.7 – October 5, 2015

Shira Springer, investigative and enterprise reporter for the sports section of The Boston Globe talks about the ECAC Inclusive Sports Initiative (at 2:07:00).

 

US teams look for future Paralympians at scouting combines

APTwo years after losing his lower leg in a car crash, Matthew Freitas is faster and stronger than ever.

The 14-year-old is nearing a 6-minute mile on the track, running with a prosthetic foot. He was the star goalie on his youth lacrosse team, and next spring the freshman will compete for his high school’s squad. His swift progress has stunned doctors, teammates and, to his delight, opponents.

 

PSC Boston Swimming Open: January 31st, 2016

Adaptive Sports New England will host the 2016 PSC Boston Swimming Open on Sunday, January 31 at UMass/Boston’s Clark Athletic Center pool.  The meet is open to swimmers who have physical disabilities or visual impairments ages 6 and up.  This is a great first-ever swim meet for novices, though we also expect several local swimmers contending for a spot on the USA’s team to Rio.  Full meet information is available HERE.

 

The Boston Globe: MIAA launches initiative for adaptive athletes

Attention high school students with disabilities: The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association wants you.
The MIAA is launching an initiative aimed at increasing participation in adaptive sports in the current school year. Click to read the full Boston Globe article.

 

The Boston Globe: ECAC is opening up its sport to adaptive athletes

Anxious parents of high school athletes keep calling the Connecticut headquarters of the Eastern College Athletic Conference. They want to know: Will my daughter be able to play for a league title in wheelchair basketball? Will my son be able to compete in sled hockey as a varsity athlete? What about sitting volleyball, wheelchair rugby, and goalball?

The ECAC’s answer: Yes, yes, yes.  Read the full Boston Globe article.