[Sportsandrec] FW: 2010 USABA NATIONAL GOALBALL CHAMPIONS NAMED

Fri Jun 11 04:24:33 UTC 2010

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From: United States Association of Blind Athletes [mailto:etap at usaba.org] 
Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2010 5:25 PM
To: Christella Garcia
Subject: 2010 USABA NATIONAL GOALBALL CHAMPIONS NAMED

 USABA Breaking News Banner
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2010 USABA NATIONAL GOALBALL CHAMPIONS NAMED
USABA Hall of Fame Inducts 1984 Men's Paralympic Gold Medalist Goalball Team

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 8, 2010
Contact: John Potts, USABA
719.534.3805
jpotts at usaba.org

(Newark, Delaware)  In an exciting defensive battle, the Blind Sports
Organization (BSO) Venom clinched their organization's 6th National
championship title in front of a hometown crowd as the United States
Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) 2010 National Goalball Championships,
held at the University of Delaware, came to a close.

<http://content.delivra.com/etapcontent//UnitedStatesAssociationofB/GBNatls2
0100_0152.jpg> With BSO's 2009 national championship title on the line, both
teams locked horns for that final game--neither team wanting to concede a
goal.  It was a single goal from BSO player Andy Jenks that would ultimately
decide the outcome.  Despite an outstanding performance by New Jersey center
Dan Gallant, his team was unable to penetrate the rock solid BSO defense.
In the end, the current national champions emerged victorious and retained
their championship crown: final score BSO 1, New Jersey 0.  In the bronze
medal match, Atlanta defeated a very surprising California team by a narrow
6-4 margin.

  New Jersey Women: Sharon Gunderman, Lisa Czechowski, Shelley Richards,
Danielle Larsen, Jaclyn Barnes, Cindy Simon
<http://content.delivra.com/etapcontent//UnitedStatesAssociationofB/GBNatls2
0100_0149%20%282%29.jpg> 
In the women's division, New Jersey and Kalamazoo Kraze, the top two women's
teams in pool play, faced-off in the gold medal match. Both teams only lost
one match in their double round-robin competition, with that loss coming at
the hands of the other team. Entering the final game of the women's
division, victory could have easily gone to either team. But in the end,New
Jersey's strong offense and tight defense, would propel New Jersey to a 4-1
victory, garnering the 2010 women's championship title. Playing for the
women's bronze medal, the BSO team gave local fans something to cheer about
as they took to the medal stand after a 5-1 victory against a very young,
yet talented Utah team. 

Culminating the tournament was the induction of the 1984 Men's Paralympic
Goalball Team into USABA's Hall of Fame as part of the Hall's inaugural
class.  Coach Stephen Kearney (Muskogee, OK) and Hall of Fame Recipients:
Reni Jackson, Coach Stephen Kearney, Winford Haynes Presenter: Mark Lucas
<http://content.delivra.com/etapcontent//UnitedStatesAssociationofB/GBNatls2
0100_0062.jpg> athletes Winford Haynes (Austin, TX) and Reni Jackson
(Louisville, KY) representing the team, were inducted by USABA Executive
Director Mark Lucas before a packed auditorium of goalball fans and
athletes.

Winford Haynes recounted the team's very first goalball experience,
describing how much the sport has evolved.  Citing that USA had never seen
goalball prior to their very first match, Haynes and the first team were
selected from track and field athletes not competing that day.  Haynes said
they appeared for that first match wearing only track shorts and singlets,
noting everyone else wore heavily padded clothes and sported helmets.  He
quipped, "We knew we were in trouble when another coach approached us and
asked if they could borrow some spare pads.  We said, you wear pads for this
game?"   

Also, USABA head goalball official Dan Parisi was presented the President's
Call to Service Award recognizing his 25 years as a goalball coach and
official.  Parisi will retire from officiating the end of this year. 

According to tournament Co-Director Sandy White, "The 60+ volunteers
involved in Nationals enjoyed the opportunity to help the dedicated athletes
have a quality championship experience."
USABA Executive Director Mark Lucas, echoed White's comments and added,
"Without the support of volunteers like coaches, officials and parents who
serve as drivers, financiers and cheerleaders, we couldn't have a
tournament."

Youth teams (ages 19 and under) will meet in St. Augustine, Florida,
December 2-4, 2010, for the USABA Youth National Goalball Championship
Tournament.  Additional information is available on the USABA website,
www.usaba.org <http://www.usaba.org/> .  Tournament results will be posted
to the USABA website.
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Address postal inquiries to:
United States Association of Blind Athletes
33 North Institute St
Colorado Springs, CO 80903 
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