Sept. 23, 2011
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State Ability Athletics will host "The Paralympic Experience" on Sunday afternoon from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Multi Sport Complex. Under the direction of Teri Jordan, this event is sure to be fun and educational for individuals of all ages and ability levels.
The purpose of the experience is to introduce community members to various Paralympic sports. Participants will get the opportunity to play wheelchair basketball against Ability Athletics members. Ability athletes will also be demonstrating track and field, hand cycling, and sled hockey.
Kortney Clemons and Chris Swales, both Wounded Warriors, will be on hand to talk about their respective sports. Clemons, an amputee track athlete, recently qualified for the U.S. Para Pan-American team that will compete in Mexico this November. Swales was part of the Race Across America team this summer and is training in the hopes of making the London Paralympic team.
Also in attendance will be Maggie Redden, who participated in the 2008 Beijing Paralympics in the 100 and 200 meter races. She will be talking about wheelchair track. Ian Davis, president of Penn State's Adaptive Club, will also be present to talk about sled hockey.
Members of Penn State's baseball team will also be on hand to volunteer and participate in the day's events. Penn State Ability Athletics and Nittany Lion Baseball have an ongoing partnership in raising funds for the Wounded Warrior athletes. The Wounded Warrior Project is a non-profit organization that aims to honor and empower wounded warriors, working to raise awareness and meet the needs of injured service members.
To participate in this Sunday's event or to get more information, please contact Teri Jordan at txj3@psu.edu.