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ADAPTED ATHLETICS 2024-2025 NEWSLETTER

STRONGER TOGETHER

Video Transcript

SDSU Adapted Athletics Lift-A-Thon 2024 Transcript

-   Coach Rolland Shade squatting with the title “Lift-A-Thon” across the screen

-   Coach Javante O’Roy bench pressing.

-   Coach Rolland Shade bench pressing.

-   Woman participant squatting.

-   Male participant squatting.

-   Male participants bench pressing.

-   Participants squatting.

-   Alex Moler smiling out to crowd and walking to bar.

-   Male participant bench pressing.

-   Male participants squatting quickly.

-   Athlete Ana Firvida squatting.

-   Alex Moler squatting.

-   Female participant squatting.

  Ana Firvida bench pressing.

  Parker Harvey bench pressing.

-   Coach Rodney talking to athletes.

-   Athlete Humoody Smith preparing to squat.

-   Athlete Max Rohn squatting.

  Coach Rodney and participant.

  Entire group of attendees taking a group photo.

-   Sponsorship logos on screen including Matia Mobility, Stretch Affect, Prehab, Woodstock Pizza, Coronado Fitness Club, Batta Fulkerson.

SDSU Adapted Athletics Team posing for a group photo.

LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR

Empowerment Through Perseverance

As we reflect on a remarkable 2024, the SDSU Adapted Athletics program stands proud of the incredible progress our athletes and staff have made in their pursuit of excellence. From the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games debut of our Throws Coach, Jasmine Burrell, to our athletes, Parker Olenick and Quinn Waitley, making Team USA and representing at the ISA World Championships, and a successful Lift-A-Thon fundraiser—raising over $12,200—we’ve accomplished so much together.

At the core of everything we do is the value of Empowerment, the second "E" in our program’s C.R.E.E.D. Empowerment is not just about providing the tools for success, but about fostering an environment where athletes are encouraged to push beyond limits and challenge themselves at every turn. Like planting a seed in a field, with time, patience, and the right nurturing, that seed grows into something strong and resilient. In the same way, our athletes, through hard work and determination, cultivate their own power. We are here to guide them, but it’s their perseverance, their spirit, and their commitment that drive them to greatness.

Looking ahead to 2025, I am excited for what’s to come. With our athletes’ continued drive and your unwavering support and generous donations, we are poised for another year of growth, achievement, and inspiration. Let’s continue to empower one another as we chase new milestones and strive for excellence in all that we do. Please read on to discover all the accomplishments our athletes have achieved this past year.

Until next time, Go Aztecs!

– A.J. Munoz-Bond, Director, SDSU Adapted Athletics

SUPPORT OUR ATHLETES

SDSU Adapted Athletics is the first and only competitive, collegiate adaptive sports program in California. We are grateful for all the support we’ve received. While our program does receive financial support from Associated Students, the program also relies on donations to support our athletes and cover program expenses, including college scholarships, competition and travel expenses, and adaptive equipment. There are multiple meaningful ways you can support us as we empower adaptive athletes to reach their dreams on and off the field. You can make a tax-deductible, one-time or recurring gift by clicking the donate button below. To learn more about other ways you can make donations, sponsor, or partner with our program, contact us at arc.adaptedathletics@sdsu.edu.

DONATE TODAY
Adaptive Wheelchair Tennis Athletes participating in Adapted Athletics Field Day, 2024

RECENT & UPCOMING EVENTS

FALL HIGHLIGHTS

Manny Gomez preparing to serve a ball.

24th Annual Hendrickson Classic WCT Tournament
10/11/24 - 10/13/24

Manny Gomez and Khristian Martinez, a tournament newcomer, competed in this year's Hendrickson Classic WCT Tournament. Manny secured first place in men's open singles and third in men's open doubles.

LOCATION: Barnes Tennis Center

U.S. Women's CP National Team

IFCPF Women’s World Cup 2024
11/19/24

Athlete Michelle Cross played in the IFCPF Women’s World Cup, hosted by the International Federation of Cerebral Palsy Football. The top teams in the world were invited to compete in Spain, and the U.S. Women's CP National Team took home 2nd place after losing to Australia in the finals.

LOCATION: Salou, Spain

Photo Credit: US Soccer

Parker Olenick and Quinn Waitley celebrate their achievements in the WCT Tournament.

2024 ISA World Para Surfing Championship
11/3/24 - 11/9/24

Parker Olenick and Quinn Waitley competed at the 2024 ISA World Para Surfing Championship after securing their spots on Team USA earlier in the year. The International Surfing Association (ISA) World Para Surfing Championship began in 2015 to provide an opportunity for athletes with physical challenges to compete. Parker placed 7th and Quinn placed 5th in their divisions.

LOCATION: Huntington Beach

Photo Credit: International Surfing Association / Jersson Barboza

Prospective athletes touring the campus.

Recruitment Day
11/1/24

Adapted Athletics hosted the annual recruitment day, which provided an opportunity to meet prospective students, athletes, and their families. Prospective students had a full day of campus touring, learning about financial information, and what the Adapted Athletics program has to offer, including sport specific and high performance support presentations.

LOCATION: San Diego State University

An athlete with a prosthetic leg performs a 180lb squat lift.

Lift-A-Thon
11/16/24

We hosted our third annual Lift-A-Thon this year, bringing adaptive athletes and able-bodied students and members together to raise awareness of Adapted Athletics. With 69 participants, a total of 2,181 reps were completed on both the para bench press and squat, helping us raise a total of $12,235 for our program and athletes! Thank you to everyone who participated, our six generous sponsors, and over 40 volunteers who helped us surpass our goal. We are so excited to see you all again at the 2025 Lift-A-Thon!

LOCATION: Aztec Recreation Center

A blind athlete and his guide are in the ready position for a race.

Red and Black Track Meet
12/7/24

The Red and Black Track Meet served as the exciting home opener for our adaptive athletes, featuring the participation of team members, including newcomers Alicia, Austin, and Ana. The meet saw several athletes achieve season best performances, with Ana, Austin, Humoody, and Michelle excelling in the 150-meter sprint, and Parker Harvey and Michelle also setting personal bests in the 300-meter sprint. A special note of recognition goes to Alicia, who successfully led her first meet as the official Track and Field Team Captain. The coaches would like to express their sincere gratitude to everyone who came out to enthusiastically support our incredible athletes.

LOCATION: SDSU Track

Photo Credit: Bryce Peacock – BStrong Media

COME OUT AND SUPPORT

Adaptive spots athletes from various backgrounds appearing at the CREED showcase.

Adapted Sports Showcase
3/14/25

This year’s showcase event is designed to bring together the SDSU and greater San Diego communities in an educational and engaging celebration of the hard work and dedication it takes to be an elite adaptive athlete. Our guests will hear from SDSU adaptive athletes, paralympians, and experts in the adaptive sports movement as well as engage in adaptive sports activities.

TIME: 2:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M.

LOCATION: Student Union Courtyard

MEET OUR NEW ATHLETES

Ana Flirvida

Ana Firvida

  • Sport: Para Track & Field - Sprinter
  • Athlete Status: Elite Student Athlete
  • Greatest Athletic Accomplishment:
    My greatest athletic accomplishment is holding the national record for the 200 meters race in my classification (T47). This means that I am the fastest woman with a below elbow amputation that runs the 200 meter dash race.
  • Fun Fact: A fun fact about me is that although I was born with my disability (below elbow right arm amputation), I did not know about Adaptive Sports until I was 18 years old. That's when I started doing Paratrack, which is why for me it is really important to create awareness about us and our program.
Alicia Guerrero

Alicia Guerrero

  • Sport: Para Track & Field - Thrower
  • Athlete Status: Elite Student Athlete
  • Greatest Athletic Accomplishment:
    My greatest accomplishment has been winning a bronze medal at the Para Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile. This moment ignited a greater passion for a sport I love. I haven’t stopped wearing glitter since that competition.
  • Fun Fact: Outside the ring, I make Native American beadwork (earrings, wristlets, lanyards, etc). You can catch me wearing some of my own creations while throwing.
Austin Spalla

Austin Spalla

  • Sport: Para Track & Field - Sprinter
  • Athlete Status: Elite Student Athlete
  • Greatest Athletic Accomplishment:
    I made the 2023 Para Pan American games in Santiago, Chile and represented Team USA.
  • Fun Fact: I love pasta and I am from Chicago.

FEATURE:TEAM USA - PARKER AND QUINN

Parker Olenick smiling for the camera.

Athletes Make Waves at the ISA World Para Surfing Championships

Our Adapted Athletics program celebrated a significant milestone as two of our athletes, Parker Olenick and Quinn Waitley, represented the United States at the 2024 ISA World Para Surfing Championships in Huntington Beach, California.

Both athletes, who have Cerebral Palsy, were selected for Team USA, a prestigious honor that recognizes the nation's top para surfers. This achievement highlighted the growing prominence of para surfing and the exceptional talent emerging from the program, here at SDSU.

PARKER OLENICK: A RISING STAR

Parker Olenick, a seasoned para surfer, made his mark at the World Championships, securing a seventh-place finish in the men's prone 1 category. His dedication and perseverance have propelled him to the forefront of the sport as “it took [him] six years to make Team USA but [he] would have tried like an infinite number of years to try and get it.”

Beyond Parker’s journey to Team USA, you can find him traveling and competing throughout the world, having recently traveled to Hawaii, Japan, and Australia to compete.

QUINN WAITLEY: A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH

Quinn Waitley, a SDSU Adapted Athletics community athlete, showcased her skills and finished in fifth place in the women's prone 2 category. This marks Quinn’s 8th year with Team USA. Quinn competes with the help of her father, David, who pushes her into the waves.

Quinn continues to empower others to pursue their passions in life. Quinn was introduced to sports at a young age and discovered her passion for adaptive skating and surfing. Quinn continues to empower others with her organization, Team Quinn, which has the mission of integrating and connecting people in the community through local events and service opportunities.

THE FUTURE FOR PARA SURFING

The success of Parker Olenick and Quinn Waitley at the World Championships underscores the growing momentum of para surfing. As the sport continues to gain recognition and popularity, SDSU's Adapted Athletics program remains committed to nurturing young talent and fostering a supportive environment for para athletes.

The inclusion of para surfing in future Paralympic Games remains a goal for many in the surfing community. As athletes like Olenick and Waitley continue to excel, the dream of seeing para surfing on the Paralympic stage grows closer.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS,
PARTNERS AND DONORS!

We couldn't do any of this without the support of our generous sponsors, partners and donors. If you have donated one-time or supported us from the start, we are grateful!

A special thank you to our major supporters: