TEXAS SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Keena Miller
Phone: 512-462-5328, cell: 512-658-4444
Email: [email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ON THE ROAD TO 2013 DEAFLYMPIC GAMES IN BULGARIA
USA TRACK & FIELD ATHLETES MAKE FINAL TRAINING STOP IN TEXAS
Austin, Texas – July 18, 2013 More than 20 track and field athletes and coaches from all across the country, who are deaf or hard of hearing, are meeting at the Texas School for the Deaf (TSD) today, for a final week of intensive training before heading to the 2013 Deaflympic Games in Bulgaria.
In total, TSD has 10 participants who will be attending the 2013 Games as athletes and coaches in a number of sports. The 2013 Track and Field team includes four TSD Rangers now training in Austin: sprint coach, Larry Smith – is currently an educator at TSD; Delvin Furlough – TSD graduate and 2009 gold medalist (400M), who will be competing in the 200M and 400M events in Sofia; Kyle Winter – TSD graduate, will also compete in the 400M, as well as hurdles in Sofia; and Saria Webb – who will be a senior at TSD this next year, is competing in the 100M and 200M events.
Unlike Olympic athletes often endorsed by large sponsors, all US Deaflympians are responsible for funding their own travel and accommodations – a tab of about $3900.00 each. Many hold fundraisers and hit up their friends and family to make the trip to complete in this elite event.
Nine-time Deaflympic veteran, Thomas Withrow, who currently resides in Austin, will be returning as the US Track and Field Head Coach. Withrow himself competed in the Games from 1981 to 2001. He was the US throws coach in 1993 and 1997, and has been head track and field coach, since 2001.
For him, to be returning for the 2013 Games, it’s a pleasure well worth repeating.
“To be among this fine group of people, and to have been alongside so many who have come up and through the ranks over the years, truly I am the fortunate one, Withrow says. These athletes have all trained so hard getting ready for this, and we’ve all put our hearts and soul into it. To get to compete at this level, with the best of the best from the United States, and all around the world, it’s an experience of a lifetime.”
Athletes training at TSD leave Monday to join the United States’ delegation in Sofia, Bulgaria and attend the 2013 Deaflympic opening ceremonies on July 26.
“Austin has been a great place to gather and practice. We look forward to returning to TSD every time, Withrow adds. The school has been very welcoming and supportive of us. We’re so appreciative of the Texas hospitality, and we really enjoy the unique Austin culture.”
WHAT: 2013 USA Deaflympic Track & Field Team Training Camp
WHEN:
Now through Sunday, July 21, 2013
Mornings: 8:30-11:00 am
Evenings: 6:30-8:00 pm
WHERE:
Rudolph Gamblin Field
Texas School for the Deaf
1102 South Congress Avenue
Austin, Texas 78704
Athlete/Sport(s)/Home:
Female
Shanieka Coleman
Sprinter
Mississippi
Diana Dick
Distance
Ohio
MaKenzie Hageman
Sprinter
South Dakota
Kori Koss
Hurdler
Wisconsin
Erin LaFave
Distance/Steeple Chase
Michigan
Jasmine Simmons
Thrower
Ohio
Janna Vander Meulen
Hurdler
Washington
Saria Webb
Sprinter
Texas
Male
Onye Davis
Thrower
Indiana
DeWayne Esper
Sprinter
Illinois
Delvin Furlough
Sprinter
Texas
Michael Haynes
Hurdler
Missouri
Thomas Guideon
Pole Vaulter
Washington
Josh Hembrugh
Hurdler
Indiana
Taylor Koss
Hurdler
Wisconsin
Paul Littlebear
Sprinter
Oklahoma
Immanuel Neubauer
Sprinter
New Mexico (Not Arizona**)
Craig Saafeld
Decathlete
Nebraska
Kyle Winter
Hurdler
Texas
Coaches
Thomas Withrow
Head Coach
Texas
Dan Fitzpatrick
Throws Coach
Indiana
Dave Frank
Distance Coach
Maryland
Steven Fuerst
Hurdler/Relay Coach
Minnesota
Larry Smith
Special Assistant
Texas
Rohan Smith
Sprint/Relay Coach
Toronto, Canada
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ABOUT THE TEXAS SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF (TSD)
The Texas School for the Deaf is the oldest continuously operating public school in Texas. Educating deaf and hard of hearing students of Texas since 1856, the campus also provides outreach and educational resources for students, their families and professionals in the field throughout the state of Texas. With educational excellence and a strong belief in a culture and community at TSD, students form a unique identity based on their individual strengths and talents. TSD is an environment where students learn, grow, and belong. For more information about the Texas School for the Deaf, visit http://www.tsd.state.tx.us/.
ABOUT THE DEAFLYMPICS
The summer and winter Deaflympics are elite level International Olympic Committee (IOC)-sanctioned events, organized by the Comité International des Sports des Sourds (CISS – the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf) since 1924. In 1957, the first USA team competed at the games, in Rome. The Deaflympic Games were the first ever international sporting event for athletes with a disability. Historically, the games were called the International Games for the Deaf until 1965, and were then known as the World Games for the Deaf, until 2000, when the name Deaflympics was adopted. For more, visit: http://www.deaflympics.com.
VISIT TSD’S HISTORY MUSEUM
On display at the Texas School for the Deaf (TSD) and open to the public through December 2013 – TSD at the Deaflympics – a comprehensive and fascinating collection chronicling the history of Texans participating in the Deaflympic Games, since 1957. TSD has had representatives at every summer Deaflympic Games, and currently boasts 103 medals earned by both past and present students and staff. Please contact: [email protected] to schedule a museum tour during summer hours. Regular Fall semester museum hours resume August 19, 2013.
** We were informed by the State of New Mexico Commission for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons of a mistake listing one of the athlete's home state. "The athlete, Immanuel Neubauer is not from Arizona. He is from New Mexico. I want to emphasize and be proud of him to represent our state."