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First Extremity Games Was First-Class Success More than 500 athletes, sponsors, spectators, and
volunteers from the US, Canada, and Europe converged on Orlando,
Florida's Watersports Complex, Saturday, July 29, for the premiere
O&P Extremity Games by College Park.
Organized to raise awareness of the ability of individuals with
limb loss or limb difference to compete in extreme sports, and to
highlight the state-of-the-art prosthetic devices available today,
the O&P Extremity Games included four judged competitions in
skateboarding, wakeboarding, BMX biking, and rock climbing, for
more than $25,000 in cash prizes.
More than 50 athletes tackled the 24-foot
rock-climbing wall. Jarem Frye (McMinnville, Oregon) took first
place in the men's division, Tyler Byrom (Tulsa, Oklahoma) won
second, and Craig Demartino (Loveland, Colorado) was third. In the
women's division Loi Ho (Newington, Connecticut) won first, Jessica
Long (Baltimore, Maryland) was second, and Shawna Culp (Wheaton,
Illinois) was third. Frye's time beat Ho's gaining him an
additional Overall Rock Climbing first place win for a total cash
purse of $5,000.
 In wakeboarding, Sean Reyngoudt (Summerland, Florida) snared
first place and $5,000 with his awesome performance. Logan Aldridge
(Raleigh, North Carolina) came in second, and Billy Tonis (Dublin,
California) took third.
The BMX bikers duked it out in side-by-side runs
through a harrowing course. Anthony Zukowski (Grand Rapids,
Michigan) placed first, securing $5000. Brandon Spears (Orlando,
Florida) grabbed second place and Christopher Morgan (Mesa,
Arizona) placed third.
 With Jon Comer, professional skateboarder and below-knee
amputee, as one of the judges the skateboarders took on the
U-shaped half pipe to demonstrate their prowess. Charles House
(Merritt Island, Florida) took first and $5,000. Rob Nelson (Kill
Devil Hills, North Carolina) came in second, and Garry Moore
(Birdsboro, Pennsylvania) was third.
"The event surpassed our expectations. The athletes were amazing
and, definitely, defied any preconceived conceptions of their
abilities," commented College Park President Eric Robinson. "I'd
like to thank everyone, the athletes, sponsors, volunteers, and
spectators, who helped to make the inaugural O&P Extremity
Games by College Park a huge success. We plan to add more
competitions and look forward to an even more exciting and
inspiring event next year."
For complete results, visit www.extremitygames.com/pdf/officialeventresults.pdf
For video highlights of The O&P Extremity Games, visit www.college-park.com
Extremity Games Open with First Splat
 On Friday, July 28, the Orthotic and Prosthetic
Assistance Fund Inc. (OPAF) introduced First Splat, a paintball
event held immediately prior to the O&P Extremity Games by
College Park in Orlando, Florida, July 2830. The event took place
at 8 PM at the Orlando Watersports Complex, the same site as the
Extremity Games, and was open to all ambulatory players.
The cost for First Splat was $40.95 per person and included a
complete paintball package of mask, gun, tank, air, paintballs, and
admission to the park. Proceeds will benefit OPAF.
"We had over 100 people attend with 52 participating warriors,"
said Robin Burton, OPAF executive director. "Included were
Extremity Games athletes, St. Petersburg College O&P students,
members of the Wounded Warriors, and representatives from both the
professional and manufacturing side of orthotics and
prosthetics."
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First Splat Champs |
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Team Java won the competition. The team consisted
of Donna Rauch (Spinal Solutions), Paul Reid, CPO (Reid Care), Adam
Finnieston, CP (Arthur Finnieston Inc.), Sean Reyngoudt (Extremity
Games athlete), and Elizabeth Mansfield (Outsource Marketing
Solutions and OPAF president-elect).
"OPAF would like to thank everyone who attended for a great
evening of fun, energy, and firepower!" said Burton.
OPAF's vision is "Giving Wings to Dreams" for amputees, orthosis
wearers, and anyone with physical challenges. OPAF hosts several
athletic "First Events," including First Volley Tennis Clinics,
First Swim Clinics, and First Swing Golf Clinics.
For more information, visit the OPAF website: www.opfund.org
Wounded Warriors Join Extremity Games
Soldiers and Marines severely wounded in the war in Iraq
participated with dozens of other competitors in the first annual
O&P Extremity Games sponsored by College Park Industries and
sanctioned by Disabled Sports USA (DS/USA).
Fifteen amputee soldiers and marines participated as members of
DS/USA's Wounded Warriors Disabled Sports Project. Kirk Bauer,
executive director of DS/USA, and a disabled Vietnam veteran said,
"We applaud College Park for taking the initiative to present these
games."
Under the direction of Joe Mornini, organizer of Team River
Runners, a chapter of DS/USA, the Wounded Warriors participated in
a flat-water kayaking race and a play-boating demonstration, as
part of the event.
"DS/USA is pleased to be involved with College Park in this
exciting inaugural event that gives amputee soldiers and marines an
opportunity to get active and to display their athletic skills,"
Bauer said. 
Table Of Contents - September 2006
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