SPORTS 'N SPOKES

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Greased Lightning

Although Mother Nature showed up in force, when all was said and done this annual juniors event was a shining success.

Sunday, July 20, was a typical New Jersey day—sunny, hot, and humid. But what wasn’t typical was what was about to happen at the Bauer Track and Field Complex at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, in Piscataway. Opening Ceremonies were about to begin for the 25th Annual National Junior Disability Championships (NJDC)—a Wheelchair Sports, USA (WSUSA) program—and the 3rd International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Junior World Games (IWAS).

More than 400 of the world’s best junior athletes from 25 states and 20 countries marched past the stands behind the flag of their state or country. Shortly, competition would get underway in athletics, swimming, weightlifting, table tennis, archery, and 3 x 3 basketball. IWAS sports were athletics, swimming, and powerlifting.

On behalf of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), co-meet directors Phil Galli and Trisha Yurochko and venue and sports director Paul Kolterjahn welcomed everyone to New Jersey for a week (July 20-26) of sport, competition, and fun. Speakers encouraged everyone to make a new friend and reminded the athletes they were part of a history-making event. This was the first time both games were taking place at the same time and, for many of the NJDC athletes, it was their first and maybe only opportunity to meet athletes from other countries.

Brian Siemann, Children’s Lightning Wheels and Team USA member, and Jerry Clayton, who represented the officials, read the athletes’ and officials’ oath, respectively, setting the tone for fair and honest competition.

The week’s theme was “Greased Lightning,” and part of the Opening Ceremonies entertainment featured songs from Grease. At the conclusion of the speeches and very colorful parade, the NJDC 5,000 meters kicked off the week of competition.


Weather played havoc with scheduling, but competition continued until completion. Find out about the winners, including (in a sidebar article) the S’NS Junior Athlete of the Year, Jill Moore.

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