USA Blind Soccer Debuts with Two Victories Over Canada

With just over five years until the team makes its Paralympic Games debut in Los Angeles, the USA Blind Soccer Men’s National Team dipped its toes into the international competition waters with a pair of friendlies against its neighbor to the north, Canada. The matches were held March 19 and 20 at the Salt Creek Soccer Arena in Chula Vista, Calif., with the U.S. prevailing by scores of 1-0 and 3-0. Team captains Noah Beckman and Hillary Scanlon The opening friendly was a tight affair with the teams battling through a scoreless first half but the American side getting the…  Read More

Fun on the Slopes of Breckenridge

After a three-year hiatus, blind and visually impaired skiers and snowboarders returned to the slopes of Breckenridge, Colorado, for three fun-filled days in the snow, March 3-5. Seven skiers and several family members enjoyed a top-notch experience thanks to the staff and guides from the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center who helped with everything from equipment rentals, lessons, lunch at the slopes and dinner at the Griffith Lodge. The weekend was also made possible with support from Anthem and Architectural Surfaces. One of the attendees was Antoine Craig (Richmond, Va.), a member of the USA Blind Soccer Men's National Team. Although…  Read More

A Return to the Vermont Slopes for Blind Skiers

For the first time in three years, the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) and Vermont Adaptive Sports teamed up to host the 14th USABA Winter Festival at Pico Mountain in Mendon, Vermont. Nineteen athletes with varying visual impairments came from across the country to participate in the post-pandemic return to fun on the snow. “After the pandemic, everyone has been so excited to get back to programming, to get back to in-person, and I think the importance of in-person connection is really highlighted at these events,” said USABA Sports Program Coordinator Marybai Huking. “Within the blind community, people are…  Read More

Champions Crowned at Northwest Regional Goalball

The second regional goalball event of the year took place February 3-5 as the Washington State School for the Blind played host to the USABA Northwest Regional Goalball Tournament in Vancouver, Washington. Seven men's teams and four women's teams took part in the three-day event that was live-streamed on the USABA Facebook page. In the men's division, the Texas Rattlesnakes went 4-0 on the weekend, including a 13-4 triumph over the NWABA Avalanche in the final. The Rattlesnakes' roster was made up of Grej Pesjaka, Will Lopez, Richie Flores and Ronald Acuna. The Avalanche finished second with a lineup of…  Read More