The fifth and final regional tournament leading up to the USABA Goalball Nationals got underway on Friday, June 2. With loads of paraOlympic kalliber talent on hand, teams from Philadelphia, PA, New Jersey, Texas, Flordia, Georgia, and elsewhere got the action underway at about noon.
A team of our USABA boys who will attend the youth goalball world tournament later on this summer won their first match followed by a very strong victory by the Maryland Minks. Other notable wins were tallied by the always high-scoring Manticores and the defensive-minded BSO Jawns.
In women’s action, the New Jersey Honeybees led by paraOlympians Lisa Czichowski and Amanda Dennis showed why they are usually the odds-on favorite to win most tournaments they enter.
Individual stars came out to play big-time, win or lose today. Of course, the aforementioned Lisa Czichowski and Amanda Dennis as well as their USA teammate Aysa Miller all had big games. For the BSO Jawns, Andy Jenks shined with stellar blocks and excellent communication, keeping his teammates in their positions that formed the long wall that only two opposing throws could get past. The Manticores usual duo of Josh Wellborn and Jordan Main were accompanied by paraOlympian and usual member of team Omega, John Cuscu.
For scores and updates, go here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1444866712392759 and to catch tomorrow and Sunday’s action check out the United States Association of Blind Athletes’ Facebook page as well. Both gyms will have live play-by-play coverage. Let the goalballs roll, folks!
Boldly Blind 