Thursday, May 31, 2012

Paratriathlon Nationals a Success for Scheck & Siress


Last weekend was a great one in Austin Texas for the Paratraithlon National Championships.  This year there were 65 para triathletes, up from 32 last year.  

Melissa Stockwell, Prosthetist at the Scheck & Siress UIC office, won her category and is the National Champion for the third year in a row. 

Hailey Danisewicz, patient of Scheck & Siress, placed second with a personal best time.  Both are qualified to go to the world championships.

Jean Draper, also one of the Scheck & Siress staff, competed and qualified for the world paratiathlon championships in Auckland, New Zealand in October, as well.

According to Triathlete Magazine, "Interest in paratriathlon is at an all-time high and the sport continues to grow following its inclusion in the Paralympic Games program. Paratriathlon will make its debut at the Paralympic Summer Games in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, a goal for many paratriathletes racing in Austin.

"This year’s race took place on Memorial Day, a day especially important to athletes with ties to the military. Stockwell was the first female American soldier in history to lose a limb in active combat and is now a national and world champion. The Iraq War veteran found a flag along the course and waved it as she crossed the finish line."

2011 Paratriathlon National Championship New York City
Melissa Stockwell, care of www.usatriathlon.org

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