Official 29th NVW Games

Photo Gallery
Photo Credit: Mike Savicki

Twenty NEPVA athletes went "Rollin' on the River" to Spokane in search of gold medals and good times.  And they found gold, bringing home 58 medals, including 35 gold, 15 silver and 8 bronze.  The team was especially proud to have 6 Novice athletes this year.  Hugh O'Donnell led the Novice division medal winnings with golds in Bowling and Archery, and silvers in Air Guns and 9-Ball.  He definitely wants to return next year with "more practice" under his belt in order to be competitive in the Open division.  Larry King earned 2 golds in Bowling and Club throw.  William Ferrie bowled for gold and speeded to a silver in the Power 200 track event.  Ron Estrella won 2 silvers in Air Guns and the Motor Rally.   James Murray grabbed a bronze in the very competitive Air Guns event. Andre Dion competed in Table Tennis and 9-Ball.

As for the "veteran" athletes on the team, Mike Savicki repeated his gold medal sweep of the class 1B open track events - the 100m., 200m., 400m., 800m. and 1500m.  He had personal bests in 4 of 5 events, even as the track was heating up. Competition in the para. classes heated up in the afternoon.  Brad Carlson, NEPVA Sports Director, led the class 5 Masters winning 4 gold in the 100m., 200m., 400m., and 800m. track events.  Mike Guilbault (class 1C Open) showed off his versatility by winning gold in Swimming (50 backstroke, where he competes as a class 3), Slalom, Air Guns and Trapshooting. Not to be outdone by the guys, Rose Cahill (1B Master) earned quadruple gold in Bowling, 9-Ball, Table Tennis, and Weightlifting as well as a silver in Air Guns,  while Mary Lou Corrigan in just her 2nd year at the Games also won 4 gold and a silver, respectively,  in  Swimming (100 backstroke and 100 freestyle), Bowling, Air Guns and Motor Rally.  Wayne Ross medalled in all 5 of his events with golds in the 25 backstroke and Bowling; silver in the 25 freestyle, and bronzes in his first competition in Weightlifting and in Air Guns. Tim Kelly (class 1B Open) earned medals of all 3 hues with a gold in Bowling, silver in Slalom, and bronze in Quad Rugby. John Brako (class 1A Open) had 2 great swims in the 25 free and the 25 backstroke earning a gold and a silver. Mark Sanders (class 3 Master) won double silver: 50 backstroke and 50 free as well as 2 bronzes in 50 breastroke and Softball. Peter Moore won the class 2 Open in Slalom and went on to compete in the ultra-tough Super G. Mike Bottary threw the discus 11.66 meters for a bronze medal and contributed to a gold in Basketball.

Lou Liggiero had his own cheering section with family members from home and across the country...a mini family reunion... as he raced to 2 golds in the Power Relay and the Power 200 track events, and earned a bronze in Bowling.  One son even volunteered at the Games. Also competing in the Games in 4 events was Everett Farris, who also brought family along.

George Norton won hardware of every color...gold in Table Tennis, silver in Basketball, and bronze in Softball.  But George's best moment of the Games had to be the awarding of "Spirit of the Games" which he so richly deserved.  The NEPVA team was bursting with pride as George made his way to the stage at the Closing Ceremonies.   As he made his way, George couldn't help remembering his former teammate, Ken Medeiros, and past NEPVA President who also received the Spirit of the Games award in 2002.  This award, not only recognizes athletic excellence, but also sportsmanship and strength of character. George has more than earned this award with his many years of basketball and softball experience as well as his encouragement of so many newer athletes along the way.

Spokane went all out for the more than 500 wheelchair athletes who participated. With 2,700 friendly volunteers and "real" summer weather, the Games were a huge success.  Local and even national media coverage was outstanding.  The Games was the premier event in Spokane during that week, but the city offered many other attractions to the Games participants. "Welcome Veteran Athletes" signs hung throughout the downtown area. Just outside the convention center and hotels was Centennial Park, the site of the 1974 World's Fair.  Wayne Ross said Spokane was a "very impressive city".  Spokane's civic pride was on display from the flower gardens, the 100 year old Loof Carousel, the "wheel chair accessible" water fountain to the many artistic sculptures throughout the park.  The sculptures commemorating the annual Bloomsday Run were a real "photo op" with running and wheelchair athletes in it. Brad Carlson, Mike Savicki and other vets' Games athletes took advantage of the 37 mile long Centennial bicycle trail to train for their events. They took the "Rollin on the River" theme quite literally.  A richly rewarding experience was had by all. Congratulations to all of the NEPVA team! For more information and great photos of the Games, go to: www.wheelchairgames.org.