Drake Relays 2023
On Friday, April 29th, 7 high school adaptive track and field participants competed in the prestigious Drake Relays! This group of the fastest wheelchair racers in the state completed a 400m wheelchair race and then got to stay and watch the college and Paralympic division immediately following their race. Here’s what a few of them have to say about the experience…
Athlete Spotlight: Mary Helen Biller
Mary Helen Biller was born with spina bifida. Mary is currently retired, but for 25 years she spent her days as a preschool teacher and childcare provider. She is an active member and board member of the Spina Bifida Association of Iowa. In her free time, Mary enjoys spending time with family and working out so she can stay physically active.
Athlete Spotlight: Ava Cantelope
Ava Cantelope, age 15, was born with a type of spina bifida called myelomeningocele. This is a neural tube defect that causes a gap between the bones in the spine that allows the meninges and the spinal cord to protrude from the back in infants. Ava currently attends Norwalk High School and wants to be an FBI profiler when she gets older. She loves sports and spending time with friends and family.
Grizzlies Invitational 2022 Presented by GreenState Credit Union
This past weekend, October 15-16, 2022, Adaptive Sports Iowa hosted the first annual Grizzlies Invitational Presented by GreenState Credit Union. The tournament was held in the GreenState Family Fieldhouse in Coralville, Iowa and was a huge success! Five teams from across the Midwest were in attendance for this National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) sanctioned event, including Adaptive Sports Iowa’s very own youth wheelchair basketball team, the Grizzlies.
Athlete of the Year Candidate: Mike Hatfield
Michael Hatfield is another outstanding candidate for the 2022 Athlete of the Year Award. Mike was born in India and grew up in Cedar Rapids. He contracted polio in India. It affected his legs, and he has worn leg braces and used crutches since he learned how to walk; however, he never let that slow […]
Athlete of the Year Candidate: Joel Fini
Coming up this fall, the director of Adaptive Sports Iowa will choose the ASI Athlete of the Year. Joel Fini, who participates in adult wheelchair basketball, wheelchair tennis, and cycling through ASI, stood out as an outstanding athlete this year and is in the running for the award. Joel is a T7 paraplegic who was […]
Drake Relays 2022
Five high school athletes competed in the 400m wheelchair event at Drake Relays on April 29. This was the second year that the Relays held a wheelchair event, and the students even had the chance to meet some Paralympic athletes, who competed following the high school race. Get to know the Drake Relays participants…
Athlete of the Year Candidate: AJ Fitzpatrick
Around September every year, the director of Adaptive Sports Iowa chooses the ASI Athlete of the Year. AJ Fitzpatrick, one of the three graduating seniors from the Grizzlies Youth Wheelchair Basketball Team stood out as an outstanding athlete this season. AJ is planning on attending University of Wisconsin – Whitewater to major in exercise science. […]
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