Team USA placed 4th overall at the IPC Athletics World Championships

Team USA collected 34 medals (9 gold, 10 silver, 15 bronze), placing fourth overall in total medals won at the 2011 IPC Athletics World Championships in Christchurch, New Zealand. China was first with 58 medals, Great Britiain was second with 38 medals and Russia was third with 35 medals.

More than 1,000 athletes from 70 countries participated in the event from January 22-30. Team USA included 50 athletes from all over the country.

"I'm very pleased with the performance of all our athletes at these world championships," said head coach Cathy Sellers. "The number of personal best times and distances we had here shows that we're improving and we've built a solid base for the launch toward the 2012 Paralympic Games in London."

Complete results can be found at the official web site of the 2011 IPC Athletics World Championships, www.ipcathleticsworldchamps.com, and online broadcast coverage of the event can be found at www.ParalympicSport.tv.

AZ Heat track team at ASU Baldy Castillo Invitational

Arizona Heat track athletes compete in the 100 Meter Track event at the 2011 Baldy Castillo Invitational at ASU. The results are as follows:

1st - Erik Hightower - 14.76
2nd - Troy Davis - 15.57
3rd - Stephen Binning - 16.75
4th - Lamar Ryberg - 16.88
5th - Arturo Torres - 16.97
6th - David Ryberg - 17.60

The next competition for the AZ Heat track team will be the 2011 Desert Challenge Games at Red Mountain High School on Saturday, May 7th, 2011. Visit www.desertchallengegames.com for a full event schedule.

PowerBlast Power Soccer Tournament

Arizona Disabled Sports hosted the 2011 PowerBlast Power Soccer Tournament at ASU Student Recreation Complex and PE West Gymnasium from Friday, March 4th to Sunday, March 6th. Eight teams participated in the tournament including Arizona Heat 3rd Degree, Arizona Heat 2nd Degree, ASU Sun Devils, Santa Barbara Rollin' Gauchos, Circle City Rollers, RHI Sudden Impact of Indianapolis, Massachusetts Hospital Schools Chariots and Glendale Rough Riders.

The ASU Sun Devils took 3rd place, RHI Sudden Impact 2nd place and the tournament champions were the Circle City Rollers. The tournament MVP is Joey Wells of the Glendale Rough Riders and the Sportsmanship award was presented to Bill Balles of the Santa Barbara Rollin' Gauchos.

AZ Heat track team at ASU Invitational Meet

AzDS Track Team had another successful track meet at the Arizona State Invitation on Saturday, March 26th. Results as follows:

100 Meters:
1) Erik Hightower – 14.76
2) Troy Davis – 15.73
3) Zach Abbott (U of A) – 16.25
4) Lamar Ryberg – 17.16
5) Stephen Binning – 17.18
6) Arturo Torres (U of A) – 17.22
7) David Ryberg – 18.37
8) Mason Odom – 20.30
9) Ben Swanson – 20.81

200 Meters:
1) Erik Hightower – 27.74
2) Troy Davis – 30.27
3) Lamar Ryberg – 30.70
4) Zach Abbott (U of A) – 32.67
5) Arturo Torres (U of A) – 33.85
6) Stephen Binning – 34.00
7) David Ryberg – 36.47
8) Mason Odom – 38.80
9) Ben Swanson – 39.36

AzDS Track Team at the AZ Distance Classic Half Marathon

The AzDS Track Team took to the streets at the Arizona Distance Classic Half Marathon in Tucson on Sunday, March 27th. The results as follows:

Racing Chair Division
1. Jordan Bird (U of A) – 51:45
2. Shirley Reilly (U of A) – 53:47
3. Grant Berthiaume (U of A) – 56:01
4. Zach Abbott (U of A) – 1:04:46
5. Lamar Ryberg (AzDS) – 1:06:14
6. Mason Odom (AzDS) – 1:16:57
7. Stephen Binning (AzDS) – 1:23:52

Handcycle Division
1. Sean Eres (U of A) – 53:25
2. Derek Brown (U of A) – 53:26
3. Troy Davis (AzDS) – 53:40
4. Steven Klorer (U of A) – 1:02:33
5. Art Odom (AzDS) – 1:26:51

SkiAble Adaptive Alpine Experience

WOW! Another fantastic event with yet again epic snow conditions for Northern Arizona. Sunny, blue skies and 50-60 degree weather proved to be the winning ticket to an excellent SkiAble Adaptive Alpine Experience in 2011. We saw a lot of new faces this season who came up to learn a new sport, feel the freedom of skiing and push themselves to another level. We were also fortunate enough to see some old friends and many spent their day showing off their skills. Twenty-four athletes were able to ski with us this year including 2 Wounded Warriors. Hopefully we will see you out there next season!

All of this could not have been possible without 9 instructors, 8 volunteers and all of the supports from attendees. AzDS would like to extend our warmest thanks to the Johnson family of 9 Pines Motel for being so accommodating and friendly while working with our group. We would also like to thank Fresh n Easy Neighborhood Market for donation all of the food and snacks for SkiAble 2011. Thank you to all of the athletes, family members and friends who came to enjoy some downhill fun! And a special thank you to our fearless and always knowledgeable instructors from the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center (BOEC) from Colorado. Become a fan of AzDS on Facebook and check out some of the pictures from this year’s event!

Arizona Paralympic Experience - Track, Field and Archery

AzDS hosted the Arizona Paralympic Day at Mesa High School on January 15th, 2011. This was an incredible opportunity for new comers from around the Valley and state to get a taste of a new sport or fine tune their current skills. We couldn’t have asked for a better day for 13 new athletes come learn about a new sport and meet some former Paralympians from the Valley. AzDS welcomed 2 members of the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) at the event to learn more about grants and financial aid for adaptive sporting equipment as well. Thank you CAF!

Season Updates

Arizona Disabled Sports is excited to announce that 21 new athletes from all over the Valley and Southern Arizona have joined us this spring season! Programs have grown exponentially and we are thrilled to have everyone participating. This spring, the AZ Heat track team is participating in 6 track competitions in both Tucson and Phoenix, not to mention the Arizona Distance Classic Half Marathon. They sure are making a name for the AZ Heat! The Junior Suns Wheelchair Basketball team is young and building a team to watch in the coming seasons! Look out West Coast teams! We are also proud to say that the AzDS power soccer teams are traveling the nation...the AZ Heat power soccer team will be attending a regional tournament in Santa Barbara, CA this April and the ASU Sun Devil power soccer team will be representing AzDS at the Premier Conference Cup tournament in Georgia this June.