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Faith Ryberg, 13, rounds the track during the 2010 Desert Challenge Games. Photo by Loren Worthington.
Desert Champions
Hundreds of athletes braved the Arizona heat for the 2010 Desert Challenge Games.
View ForumMore than 120 athletes from across the nation and Canada gathered in Mesa, Ariz. May 21 to test their skills during the 2010 Desert Challenge Games, and SPORTS `N SPOKES was on the field and in the gym to capture every moment.
The weekend kicked off in true Arizona fashion, which sported its first triple-digit temperature of the summer, hitting 101 degrees under the cloudless sky. Despite the high winds that, at times, played havoc on the event tents, the athletes displayed the highest level of endurance throughout the weekend contest. The events included track and field, swimming, archery, and weightlifting. The athletes were also able to obtain national and international classification for the 2012 Paralympics.
The weightlifting competition led the event schedule, bringing five athletes to the weight bench to test their strength and push their limits. Leading the group throughout the challenge was John Tuzzolino of Phoenix, who successfully bested each lift, benching 300 lb before failing his final 325 lb attempt. All lifters eventually finished first in their class, with Colin Bue of Phoenix taking second place in his weightlifting class. “I put the 200 lb weights up easy then struggled with 235 lb for the next two attempts,” says Bue. “I have competed all over the world in different sports and I would say that this is one of the best-run events I have been to.”
The field events, which competed against the gusty winds, took place throughout May 22 with athletes pitting themselves in discus, shot put, and javelin. Rachel Kroner, 13, threw consistently in the women’s 15 and under discus throw, placing first and breaking a U.S. record. Other highlights came from 15-year-old Renee Foessel, who took two of the three field events. Jeremiah Ryberg, 11, hit four bull’s-eyes in the archery competition, and David Ryberg, 18, was selected as the 2010 Power Player of the event.
The track event opened at dusk before a bustling crowd with a special ceremony and color guard detail from the Mesa High School ROTC and California resident and athlete Katy Sullivan sang the national anthem.
Arizona Disabled Sports (AzDS) is a Mesa-based nonprofit. The City of Mesa supports the charity by providing space for the headquarters, facilities for valley athletes to train in and equipment for special events. The Desert Challenge Games is celebrating 20 illustrious years, always taking place in the east Mesa.
To see all the photos of this year's Desert Challenge, stop by the gallery on the home page.
For a complete list of the event finals and more information on the Desert Challenge Games, visit www.desertchallengegames.com
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