[Sportsandrec] Fw: 09 USABA Midewest Regional/Bakos Tournaent Results

[Christella Garcia]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: United States Association of Blind Athletes 
To: Christella Garcia 
Sent: Saturday, March 07, 2009 2:37 PM
Subject: 09 USABA Midewest Regional/Bakos Tournaent Results






NOTHING BUT WMU GOLD AT SILVER ANNIVERSARY GOALBALL TOURNEY 

This past weekend, Western Michigan University (WMU) was the site for the 25 th USABA Midwest Regional/3d Annual John Bakos Memorial Goalball tournament. Nineteen teams converged on WMU, all poised for victory. After the dust settled on what was an extremely and closely contested competition, the hometown fans got what they came for—the opportunity to see their own men's and women's teams take the gold medal stand.

The following men's teams participated in this tournament:

Great Lakes Adapative Sports Agency (GLASA) ( Illinois ) - Riptide 1
Great Lakes Adapative Sports Agency (GLASA) ( Illinois ) - Riptide 2
Kentucky Thorobreds
New Jersey
New York Knights
Northeast Florida
Northern California
Ontario All Blacks
Quebec
Utah Explosion
Western Michigan University Wrecking Crew (Red)
Western Michigan University Wrecking Crew (Black)

At the end of pool play, New Jersey , Utah , Northeast Florida, WMU (Red), Quebec , Glasa-1, Ontario , and New York would have the opportunity to continue onward to the quarterfinal round. After the quarterfinal round, only four teams would remain: Utah , Quebec , Ontario and the hometown favorite WMU (Red).

In the semifinal round, Quebec would narrowly defeat Utah , 6-5, and WMU (Red) would give their fans a great performance, defeating Ontario by an 8-2 margin.

In the end, WMU (Red) was not to be stopped, as they took the men's tournament crown by defeating Quebec , 5-1. Utah would narrowly defeat Ontario , 5-4, to capture the bronze medal.

The women's competition was equally exciting, with the following teams vying for the tournament title:

Colorado Bandits
Georgia Firebolts
GLASA Tsunami
New Jersey
Utah
Western Michigan University Broncos
Wisconsin

WMU, Utah , Colorado , and New Jersey would advance to the semifinal round. In those pairings, WMU would defeat Utah 8-1 and Colorado would top New Jersey 5-2.

The WMU fans were treated to another opportunity to see their local team compete for the gold medal. They were pumped and certainly not disappointed as they too emerged victorious, defeating an extremely talented Colorado team in a defensive slugfest: final score, WMU Broncos – 2, Colorado Bandits – 0. New Jersey would not go home empty-handed, defeating Utah , 5-0.

“This was one of the best tournaments we've seen here in about twenty years,” stated tournament organizer Luke Patterson. “Teams appeared much more closely matched than I recall in past years. Certainly, the level of competition is rising,” Patterson added.

The next chapter of the 2009 season will take place in Westmont , New Jersey , 18 and 19 April during the USABA/ABANJ Northeast Regional Goalball Tournament.

If you can't make the tournament in person, you don't have to miss any of the action as Bill Teale and The Audio Network will provide coverage at http://www.pressakey.net .

Since its founding in 1976, USABA, a community-based organization of the United States Olympic Committee, has reached more than 100,000 blind and visually impaired individuals. The organization has emerged as more than just a world-class trainer of blind athletes, it has become a champion of the abilities of Americans who are legally blind. USABA's Mission : to enhance the lives of blind and visually impaired people by providing the opportunity for participation in sports and physical activity. For more information, visit our Web site: www.usaba.org