Can you believe it? With the USABA goalball nationals still in our rearview mirror and a couple international competitions just behind us, fans of blind sports are gearing up for the 2024 USABA goalball season!
A Quick Flashback to 2023
As covered on Boldly Blind and many other sports media, the Manticores won the men’s competition held at the Turnstone Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana and the New Jersey Honeybees captured the women’s crown. Anticipated? For sure. Both teams dominated many of the tournaments they entered and it wasn’t even close.
Led by ParaOlympian Zach Buhler and flanked by Jordan Main and Josh Wellborn, the Manticores are one of the hardest throwing teams on the circuit and all three guys play every position on the court, which made rotating defensive positions a valuable asset.
The Honeybees featured two-yes, count them two paraOlympians in Lisa Chechowski and Amanda Denis who flanked the very defensive minded Jennia Tiberi at center. The Honeybees also had the added bonus of having had two or three bench players which gave them a talented depth that few other clubs could match.
THE 2024 SEASON AHEAD
2024 will kick off with the Ability 360 Southwest Regionals in Phoenix, Arizona from January 19-21. Even from this tournament last year, fans knew that the Manticores were primed for a run to repeat as USABA goalball champs. Will this happen again? Time and a lot of hard thrown balls will tell. There’s no doubt that, given the makeup of all teams, finding a contender will be itself a challenge. Of course, Omega from the Detroit, Michigan area, the New York Empire, and the Texas Rattlesnakes might want something to say about that. Those teams have very experienced rosters featuring stars like John Kusku, Joe Hamilton, Darryl Walker, and Jaron Black, to name just a few. And if paraOlympian Tyler Merren has anything to say about it, Omega won’t be the only powerhouse coming from Michigan. So look out for the Growlers to get off to a good start, too.
For the women’s side, the experienced Honeybees will be back and loaded like usual for the long haul. But younger teams from Atlanta and Maryland are sure to present some resistance. Count on the New York Disciples, too, and the newer club from St. Louis to be ready for a run at improvement over 2023.
Of course, following the Southwest Regionals will be dates for the Northeast Regionals, the Cinco De Goalball, and other events leading up to nationals and, for our top athletes, the 2024 ParaOlympic Games in Paris. Of course, Boldly Blind will provide links to live play-by-play and many, many results and updates.
We will, of course, follow the USA Men’s Goalball Team’s march to Paris as they will face seven other world powers including the reigning goald medalists from Brazil. The official roster for the USA team is forthcoming and Boldly Blind along will be one of many blind sports media outfits keeping you abreast of that development as well.
As for the upcoming Ability 360 Southwest Regionals in Phoenix, check out this link for more information. And if you are in the Phoenix area from January 19-21, take in some goalball as a fan or find away that you, too, can get involved in helping the tournament run smoothly!
Boldly Blind 