Out of the Dark: How USABA returned light to veteran Cas Werda’s life

By: Stephanie Ross, USABA Contributor After a devastating improvised explosive device (IED) detonation left U.S. Army Specialist Casimir “Cas” Werda blind in both eyes in 2007, the transition to being “completely in the dark” was a tough one. “I basically had to learn how to become this new person,” Werda said. “My entire life, I’ve always been really active and competitive. When I first lost my sight, I thought I wouldn’t be able to do the things I love and enjoy, which was very hard for me. It took a while to come out of it.” At the beginning of…  Read More

Crown and Phantoms Earn National Goalball Titles

Twenty-one teams from across the country traveled to Fort Wayne, Indiana, for the 2018 USABA Goalball National Championships. Turnstone, home to the U.S. Goalball Center of Excellence hosted the tournament for the third consecutive year. Round robin play began on Thursday evening and ran through Friday evening. Quarterfinals were played early Saturday morning to determine which teams would earn the opportunity to compete for the 2018 national titles. Men’s division At the end of round robin games, Cyclones led Pool A with a 2-0-1 record, Crown led Pool B with three wins, MWABA Eagles led Pool C with four wins,…  Read More

When Fatherhood Meets Sports

By: Matthew J. Rodjom Seven years ago, I started my greatest challenge and adventure in life, fatherhood. I am a father to twin girls, Emily and Marisa, who are 7, and a son, Zachary, who is 4. Since my wife, Sarah, and I are distance runners, sports and athletics are part of the daily routine at our house. When the twins were toddlers they were at every race mom and dad ran. It is a pretty cool feeling hearing “Go, Daddy, Go” when my guide and I pass at the end of a local 5k. In 2016, I attempted to make…  Read More