USA Goalball Secures Back-to-Back Wins to Finish 2nd in Pool, Advances to Quarterfinals Against Japan

(Calahan Young with Goalball in Hand - Photo Credit Joe Kusumoto USOPC) PARIS, France – In back-to-back games that closed out pool play in the Paralympic Goalball tournament, Team USA secured two crucial victories, finishing second in their pool and positioning themselves for a strong run in the knockout rounds. In their second pool match against France, the USA earned a hard-fought 5-4 win at South Paris Arena. The game began with explosive action, as Christian King (#8) put the USA on the board just ten seconds into the match. Tyler Merren (#2) quickly followed with another goal, extending the lead to 2-0.…  Read More

New Jersey Honeybees and Seattle King Cobras Triumph at 2024 USABA Goalball National Championships

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (August 7, 2024) – More than 70 athletes representing 12 teams from across the United States converged at Fort Wayne’s Turnstone Center August 2-4 for the 2024 U.S. Association of Blind Athletes’ (USABA) Goalball National Championships. All these athletes competing qualified to compete in the national championships by competing at one or more national qualifiers earlier this year. Competitors include seven members of the 2020 USA Paralympic Goalball Men’s and Women’s Team, many of whom trained at Turnstone Center as part of the USA Goalball National Team Resident Athlete Program, at various times, leading into the 2020 Tokyo…  Read More

U.S. Association of Blind Athletes Announces Roster for Paris 2024 Paralympic Men’s Goalball Team

U.S. Association of Blind Athletes Announces Roster for Paris 2024 Paralympic Goalball Men’s Team (July 16, 2024) – Colorado Springs, CO – The United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) proudly announces the roster for the U.S. Paralympic Goalball Men’s Team set to compete in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games marks a significant milestone for our athletes, who have shown exceptional dedication and performance in the lead-up to this global event. The nominated athletes will represent the United States in the goalball competition, a team sport designed for athletes with visual impairments. The six (6) athletes…  Read More

USABA NORTH EAST NATIONAL GOALBALL QUALIFIER RECAP: JUNE 21-23, HADDON HEIGHTS, NJ

The USABA National Goalball Qualifier took place from June 21-23 at the Haddon Heights Community Center in Haddon Heights, New Jersey. The tournament saw an intense competition with a total of 21 teams divided across three divisions: a ten-team men’s top division, a six-team women’s division, and a five-team men’s B division. In the men’s top division, the Republicans emerged victorious, defeating the Jawns in a thrilling final with a high-scoring game that ended 9-4. The Republicans’ roster was highlighted by national team athletes Christian King, Zion Walker, and Hussam Itani. The New York Empire secured the bronze medal in…  Read More

Force, Monarchs and Renegades win gold at Southeast Qualifier

Twenty-two teams went head-to-head at the USABA Southeast National Goalball Qualifier, May 24-26, at the Smyrna Community Center in Smyrna, Georgia. The tournament was divided into an eight-team men's A division, an eight-team men's B division and a six-team women's division. In an exciting women's final, the Ohio Monarchs edged the Atlanta Blazers, 7-6. The Monarchs roster featured Tokyo 2020 Paralympic teammates Mindy Cook and Eliana Mason. They were joined by Makalia Lama, Yaqi Schumacher and Leah Smeltzer, and coached by Keith Young and James Wallace. Ohio Monarchs (l to r) Coach Keith Young, Eliana Mason, Yaqi Schumacher, Makalia Lama,…  Read More