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.

Junior Suns host 4th Annual Arizona JV Wheelchair Basketball Tournament

On December 11-12, 2010 over fifty players and coaches came to compete in the 4th Annual Arizona Wheelchair Basketball Tournament for a weekend of competition in Mesa at the Broadway Recreation Center. Competing teams were your home town Banner Wheelchair Suns, BORP Bay Cruisers (Berkely, CA), Denver Junior Nuggets and Utah Junior Jazz. This tournament is sponsored by the Arizona Spinal Cord Injury Association and hosted by Arizona Disabled Sports.

Now on to the action as the Jazz would play the Bay Cruisers in the first game. The Jazz won 46 – 39 with Blakley scoring 22 and Heslop adding 12 for the Jazz. James Bohnett had 21 for BORP. The Banner Wheelchair Suns played host to Denver Nuggets in game 2. The Nuggets easily handled the rebuilding Suns 45 – 29. Ryan had 23 and Dyuante with 12 for the Nuggets. Rachael Kroener had 16 and Stephen Binning added 13 in a losing effort. The 3rd game of the day the Suns played inspired basketball but fell to BORP 55 to 24. Stephen Binning and Rachael Kroener each had 10 points for the Suns. BORP was led by Rodriquez 22 and Bohnett 17. The afternoon 2 PM game the young Jazz handled the Nuggets 58 to 32. Blakley led the way for the Jazz with 22 points and Ryan had 18 for the Nuggets. Game 6 the Suns would face the Jazz. The Jazz Blakley led all scorers with 19 and Stephen Binning had 14 in a losing effort for the Sun. Jazz 61 Suns 26. The last game on Saturday the Nuggets faced the Bay Cruisers. The Cruisers started out strong and never looked back for a 45 to 26 victory. James Bohnett had 25 for BORP and Ryan had 18 for Denver.

Early Sunday morning play had Denver and Utah facing off. The game was close through out with the Jazz pulling away in the final minutes for a 49 to 40 victory. Blakley led the Jazz with 29 and Lindsay adding 10. Ryan had 21for the Nuggets. Sundays second game the Suns lost to the BORP Bay Cruisers 54 to 18. BORP was led by Rodriquez with 26 and Rachael Kroener had 10 for the Suns.

The last game Sunday was for the Championship between the Jazz and Bay Cruisers. This was the best game of the tournament as neither team could establish any kind of led. The score changed by the minute with the score tied at the end of regulation play. Five minutes were added to the clock and into overtime play continued. After four minutes and the score still tied it was apparent who had the ball last would win. This game did come down to the last seconds with the Jazz sinking the last basket for a 60 to 58 Championship win. The Champion Jazz was led in scoring by Tournament MVP Sam Blakley with 17. Second place BORP was led by James Bohnett with 36 points. Denver would finish in third place. The Junior Suns Chandler Goetz was voted the tournament Sportsmanship Award.

The Banner Wheelchair Suns would like to thank Arizona Disabled Sports and the Arizona Spinal Cord Injury Association for their efforts to make this a truly great experience for all involved. Many of these players will one day receive college wheelchair basketball scholarships. This is possible because of tournaments like this to display and build these young athletes skills. THANK YOU!

Power Soccer Team Raises Funding by Selling Candles

The AZ Heat Power Soccer team participated in a group fundraising effort by selling Gold Canyon candles. A group of just twelve individuals were able to sell 102 candles which raised approximately $750.00 for the team. The team is currently raising funding to support travel expenses for the athletes when traveling to regional and national competitions. Gold Canyon Candles are a local company that generously participates in these fundraising efforts by donating 20% of total sales to the organization. The holiday scents were a hot item for the friends and family of the athletes. Congratulations to Stephanie Nedrow for selling the highest number of candles! Stephanie was rewarded with free registration for the 2011 winter-spring season. Look for the team to participate in another fundraiser with Gold Canyon this spring!

AzDS Represented at World Championships in New Zealand

Arizona Disabled Sports Executive Director, Lane Jeppesen has been invited to travel with Team USA for the Paralympic World Championships in Christchurch, New Zealand this January. Lane will be the Assistant Team Leader for 52 athletes with physical disabilities on Team USA as they compete in track and field. Approximately 12 staff will travel with the group including medical, equipment and coaching staff.

The group of 64 individuals will travel to Sydney, Australia from January 6th to 14th for a training camp at Sydney Olympic Park. The group will then travel to Christchurch, New Zealand from January 15th to 31st for the World Championships in Track and Field.

IPC Athletics World Championships

Cycling Team does Tour de Tucson

Arizona Disabled Sports was represented by 11 athletes from the Arizona Heat cycling team at the 2010 El Tour de Tucson in Tucson, Arizona on November 20th. Congratulations to the following 8 athletes that completed the 40 mile event! Troy Davis - 2:54:51, Mike Tagliapietra - 3:02:34, Lamar Ryberg - 3:08:49, Stephen Binning - 3:54:08, Gavin Warren – 4:33:18, Ben Swanson – 4:35:23, Linden Aitken – 5:08:44, Travis Oldhouser – time not posted. Forty miles is no small feat, congratulations on a job well done! AzDS also had 3 athletes compete in the 6 mile race - congratulations to Austin Alcorn, Evie Boone and Maurice Valeriano!

Former Mesa Athlete, Edward Mathurin is a Referee

One of our former Mesa athletes, Edward Mathurin, has been training as a referee. Edward currently is an AIA basketball referee for the junior high school games in Mesa as well as volunteering as a referee for Arizona Disabled Sports and Special Olympics. Edward has become a trained US Power Soccer Association referee for our local competitions in power soccer and volunteers for the Special Olympics Floor Hockey and Soccer competitions. Congratulations to Edward Mathurin on his accomplishments as a referee.

Car Wash Fund-raiser for Power Soccer team

The Arizona Heat power soccer team hosted a charity car wash at the Chick-fil-a restaurant at the Mesa Riverview and was able to raise over $850 to support the team's expenses for travel to regional and national tournaments. AzDS supports "Matching" funding for one regional or national tournament and the team is fund-raising to support the athlete's matching portion as well as additional funding for a small trip to Glendale, CA for a tournament.

The team is planning to host a charity yard sale over the weekend of November 20th at the Broadway Recreation Center. The team would appreciate your support by donating items to the yard sale...let us sell your junk to support the Arizona Heat Power Soccer team. Contact 480.835.6273 to make arrangements for delivery of your donated items for the yard sale.

AZ well-represented at National tournaments

AzDS sponsored 4 athletes and 2 coaches to attend the 2010 National Junior Disability Championships in Chicago, IL. The 2010 event was hosted by Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association (GLASA) this past July. Jeremiah Ryberg, Joshua Roy and Isaac Ramirez qualified to compete in the archery competition and all three athletes placed in the top three for their class and age division. Jeremiah Ryberg also qualified to compete in the track competition and broke two National records - the 100m and 200m - for his class and age division. Joe Underwood and Isaac Ramirez represented Arizona in the swimming competition and received 1st place in all of their events. Isaac competed in the 25yd and 50 yd backstroke. Joe competed in the 50 fly, 50 free, 100 back, 100 free, 400 free and 4x50IM. Congratulations to the 4 junior athletes that represented the AZ Heat at NJDC! Thank you to Swim Coach Megan Harden and Archery Coach Lise Lindsay for traveling with the team to Chicago.

AzDS sponsored 6 adult athletes and 1 coach to attend the 2010 US National Championships in Mirimar, FL in July. Led by Coach and competitor Troy Davis, the AZ Heat team traveled to Mirimar to compete in track and field events that they qualified in at the 2010 Desert Challenge Games hosted at Red Mt High School in Mesa. The AZ Heat team included Troy Davis, Erik Hightower, David Ryberg, Lamar Ryberg, Stephen Binning and Jonathan Lopez Perez. Congratulations to the team for a great National representation of Arizona!

Congratulations to Intern Rachel Kupitz

Arizona Disabled Sports was very lucky to have a full-time intern over the summer named Rachel Kupitz. Rachel began her internship in June and finished in mid-September. During her 15 weeks with the organization, Rachel was able to participate in the assessment and evaluation process for each program, fundraising and grant-writing processes, budgeting, planning special events and managing volunteers. Rachel has recently passed her CTRS (Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist) exam and will be working hard in the field to support people with disabilities. Best of luck to Rachel! Congratulations on passing the CTRS exam!

Thank you to the Table Sponsors at the 17th Annual Fall Fundraiser

SILVER=$1,000
John and Sue Alig
Arizona Bank & Trust
Dr. James Badge
Boeing Company
Cawood and Gibson, PLLC
Council Member Dina Higgins
Disabled Sports USA / Flancer’s
D.L. Withers Construction
Chris and Sue Hite
John and Linda Hughes
Kohler Company
Lerner & Rowe Phoenix Personal Injury Attorneys
McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.
Ted and Lynn Moll
Gloria Rusk & Scott Morrison
MSA Engineering Consultants
Dave and Pam Neumeyer
Progressive Roofing
R.C. Lurie Co, Inc.
Schuff Steel Management Co. SW
Taylor’s Flooring
The Mahoney Group
Unite 2 Fight Paralysis

GOLD = $2,000
Simpson Strong-Tie
Valley Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
WD Manor Mechanical Contractors, Inc.

PLATINUM=$3,000
JFK Electrical Contracting Enterprises Inc.
Greg and Ronda Marsh
SW Services, LLC / SPAC Enterprises, Inc.

Thank you to the AzDS Year-Round Sponsors for their generous support

Champion=$10,000 and above
Southwest Airlines

Challenger=$5,000
Desert Club Foundation
Ford Motor Company
Mesa Hohokam Foundation
Subway Kids & Sports Arizona
Vistal Golf Club – Duck & Run Tournament
W. Bradford Perkinson

Competitor=$2,500
Delta Diversified
The Hartford
Greg and Ronda Marsh
SW Services, LLC / SPAC Enterprises, Inc.
Sundt Foundation
WD Manor Mechanical Contractors, Inc.

Charger=$1,000
Boeing ECF
Knights of Columbus
Precision Direct, Inc.
Southwest Asphalt
State Farm Companies Foundation
United Truck & Equipment

AZ Paralympic Experience - Wheelchair Basketball

Individuals with physical disabilities were invited to the Broadway Recreation Center for an introduction to the Paralympic Sport of wheelchair basketball on Saturday, September 25th. Four junior participants along with 4 coaches, 5 volunteers and 6 spectators joined us from 8am-12pm for training, demonstration and drills led by Derek Brown, Peter Hughes and Gary Venjohn. Fourteen adult participants, 5 volunteers, 11 spectators and 3 coaches participated in the afternoon session from 1pm-5pm. The goal of the Paralympic Experience is to introduce a Paralympic sport to a new athlete or introduce a new skill or drill to a current participant. Thank you to Derek, Peter and Gary for donating their time to lead the clinic. AzDS along with Banner Wheelchair Suns hosts a Paralympic Experience annually at the beginning of the season (August or September).

Power Soccer Clinic hosted by PIKA

The Arizona Heat and ASU Power Soccer Clubs joined together on Monday, August 30th at the Broadway Recreation Center for an instructional clinic led by "Pika", a power soccer clinician from Atlanta, Georgia. Pika led the teams in numerous drills to improve their kicking and ball-handling skills and completed the clinic with a scrimmage. Thank you to Pika for sharing his knowledge with the Arizona teams.