Move United Junior Nationals presented by The Hartford wraps with 271 adaptive youth athletes competing in Colorado
The 37th annual Move United Junior Nationals presented by The Hartford took over Metro Denver, Colorado, July 17-23. Move United Junior Nationals is the largest and longest-standing national sport championship event for young athletes with a physical disability, visual and/or intellectual impairment through the age of twenty-two.
271 athletes and 94 coaches from 29 states converged in Colorado to test themselves in competition. The sports contested include archery, paratriathlon, para powerlifting, shooting, swimming as well as track and field. The competitions are overseen by each sport’s national governing body, including USA Archery, USA Para Powerlifting, USA Shooting, USA Swimming, and US Paralympics Track and Field.
At the event, 81 Junior Nationals and 57 National records were broken. 177 athletes competed in the event for the first time. Catarina Guimaraes, a 17 year-old athlete from New Jersey, has set a few of those records. “Coming together with athletes from across the country is great,” Guimaraes said. “And after last year…. isolation and adaptive athletes don’t mix! I miss being with groups of adaptive athletes, we are a different breed. While I do compete in high school sports, if I could choose between adaptive meets and high school meets, this is where I’d rather be. We’re all here for a reason and while we have our own unique experiences, we also share a deep understanding of each other.”
In addition to the sport competitions, USA Volleyball hosted a sitting volleyball clinic and USTA hosted a wheelchair tennis clinic. Other educational sessions were held throughout the week for athletes and coaches as well.
Colorado Governor Jared Schutz Polis was on hand to give remarks during the welcoming ceremony. Paratriathlete World Champion 2016 Paralympic Silver Medalist Hailey Danz, a Team Hartford athlete, served as the keynote speaker. She will be making her second appearance at the Paralympic Games in Tokyo.
Paralympic Gold Medalist and Team USA wheelchair basketball player Matt Scott served as the emcee. He was also on hand to present three athletes with their own custom-fit sports equipment as part of The Hartford’s Ability Equipped program. Daniel Van Nostrand, from New York, was presented with a new running blade. Wesley Bobis, from Missouri, was presented with a new bow and arrow set. And Camryn Ledford, also from Missouri, received a training roller for her racing chair. Bobis was thrilled to be a part of this year’s event. “I get to compete with more people in Track and Field that are my same classification, and I get to show how good I really am,” he said.
A number of other Paralympic and Team USA athletes played significant roles in this year’s event, including Jacob, Heilveil, Amanda McGrory, Krige Schabort, Jessie Cloy, John Register, Erin Popovich, and Roderick Sewell.
The Move United Junior Nationals presented by The Hartford serves as a platform to promote physical activity, independence for youth with disabilities and may one day lead them to compete at the international level and the Paralympic Games.
“Sports make us stronger,” said Glenn Merry, Executive Director of Move United. “Move United’s community-based adaptive sports movement focuses on leaving no one on the sidelines. In partnership with The Hartford, Move United is proud to offer this elevated field of play for young athletes to test themselves, discover what’s possible and achieve new heights in becoming their best selves.”
As the Title Sponsor for the event, The Hartford, is committed to empowering youth and adults with disabilities by making adaptive sports more accessible – delivering the power of ability. As a leading disability insurer, the company has a long-held belief that sports are an important part of physical rehabilitation following a disabling illness or injury.
“We have been an advocate for the adaptive sports movement and sponsor of athletes with disabilities for more than 25 years,” said Kathy Bromage, Chief Marketing Officer of The Hartford. “We are proud to be a part of the Move United Junior Nationals this year in Colorado and excited to see these young athletes compete on the national stage and inspire others to participate in adaptive sports.”
Move United Junior Nationals presented by The Hartford is also sponsored by the Daniels Fund, Challenged Athletes Foundation, and Hanger. The 2022 event will also be held in Colorado and bids are currently being sought from host cities for 2023 and beyond. For more information about the Move United Junior Nationals, visit moveunitedsport.org/juniornationals.
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