| SPORTS ROUNDUP
By Jimmy Cuevas
The United Spinal Navigators adaptive sports team wrapped up their best season in years last week at the 2010 National Junior Disability Championships (NJDC) in Chicago. At NJDC all team members obtained new personal best records and the team netted a total record of 112 medals (86 Gold, 23 Silver, 3 Bronze), set 12 new national records, and placed first on the Medium Team category.
The Navigators team consisted of 8 athletes––Jerson Calderon, 15, of Hillsdale; Jim Cuevas, 19, of Jersey City; Gianfranco Iannotta, 16, of Garfield; Miguel Jimenez, 10, Ewing; Raymond Martin, 16, of Jersey City; Crystal Orihuela, 13, of Jersey City; Toni Saia, 18, of Staten Island; Jeremy Tantsits, 7, of New Milford.
The team competed in track, field, swimming, archery, and table tennis events. The players said their excellent performance was the result of their hard work, dedication, and commitment to the Navigators adaptive sports program.
In addition, five members of the Navigators (Athletes – Jim Cuevas, Raymond Martin, Gianfranco Iannotta, and Coaches – Jimmy Cuevas and Isabel Cuevas) were selected as members of the Junior USA Team to participate at the 2010 International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS) Junior World Championships in Czech Republic, August 20–25. Participation of over 200 athletes from 25 countries was anticipated at the 2010 IWAS Junior World Championships.
The NJDC (www.njdc2010.org) and the IWAS Junior World Championship (www.iwasf.com) games give young athletes with disabilities an opportunity to participate in an encouraging venue, and to compete against the top athletes from the US and the rest of the world while preparing them for their participation in future Paralympics Games. To learn more about opportunities to participate, please visit respective Web sites listed above.
The Navigator’s participation in the 2010 NJDC and IWAS Junior World Championships was made possible by generous cash grants from The Craig H. Neilsen Foundation, Robert & Joan Dircks Foundation, Wheelchair Sports Council of NJ, Provident Bank Foundation, National Junior Wheelchair Athletic Fund, Weather Champions, and Neovision Consulting Inc.; individual grants from the Challenged Athletes Foundation; and in-kind support from the United Spinal Association; WA-XO-BE Archers; Lancaster Archery Supply; City of Jersey City; Hudson County Parks; and the Cranford Pool & Fitness Center.
The organization’s staff consists of volunteers. Duties; such as; fundraising, coaching, personal training, and coordination special events are split among all the members. The staff members volunteer their time and receive no compensation; therefore; 100% of the charitable contributions we receive go toward the support and expansion of our adaptive sports program.
Speaking on behalf of all staff and coaches, Navigators Coach Jimmy Cuevas said, “We are very proud of our accomplishments at the 2010 NJDC. The coaching staff is extremely pleased with the way our team continues to improve and excel in adaptive/wheelchair sports. United Spinal has made a tremendous impact to the success of our adaptive sports program and we thank you for your continued support; we couldn’t have done it without you!”
Jimmy Cuevas coaches the New Jersey Navigators.
