UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Nittany Lion Ability Athletics standout RJ Shirey competed at the 2023 Hartford Nationals on July 8-14 in Hoover and Birmingham, Ala. The State College native won two events, bringing home a pair of national titles.
Shirey, a Nittany Lion ability athlete since 2019, is a State College native who lost his right leg after a tragic hunting accident at age 15. He posted season and career bests in both the shot put and javelin to win two more national crowns. His shot put distance of 7.13 meters brought home gold as did his javelin throw of 20.19 meters. Shirey is wrapping up his Ability Athletics career this summer as he will graduate in August.
RJ joined the nation's top athletes who have a physical, visual and/or intellectual disability at the event, which was conducted by Move United, an affiliate of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee. Move United provides opportunities for individuals with disabilities to become physically and emotionally stronger through participation in 70 adaptive sports. Move United was established in 1956. The Hartford serves as the presenting sponsor of the event.
This was the 66th year of the competition and will feature hundreds of athletes and coaches competing as well as clinics and educational opportunities. The Hartford Nationals featured various competitions including archery, para powerlifting, paratriathlon, shooting, swimming, track and field and wheelchair tennis.
Ability Athletics is Penn State's program for adaptive intercollegiate and intramural sports. For more information on Ability Athletics at Penn State, please contact Brenna O'Connor (bao10@psu.edu).
