Success Stories

RHISP - Lands First Team Award at National Junior Disability Championships

Spokane, WA (July 22-28) - Over 300 athletes from across the country came together in Spokane, Washington to compete in the Wheelchair Sports 2007 National Junior Championships July 22nd-28th. Two of the Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana Sports Programs’ own, Josh Swoverland and Casey Followay, proved to be among the top athletes in the nation. Their outstanding performances landed RHISP its first ever team award, taking 3rd place overall in the small teams division. “Josh and Casey are both very talented and motivated athletes. They really stepped up their performance at game time as well, and I think it showed in the overall times and results, as well as the overall team placing for RHISP,” said Collin Shepherd, Youth RHISP Coach.

Josh Swoverland is no stranger to high level competition being the youngest competitor to ever race in the Indy Mini and chasing a dream of one day competing in the Paralympics. His athletic abilities were showcased in Spokane where he posted 1st place finishes in the 200m, 400m, and 800m track events. Josh took 1st place in the 50m, 100m, and 200m freestyle, and 50m backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly swimming events as well. He participated in the 3 on 3 basketball tournament where he received the Spirit of Excellence Award.

Last year at the National Junior Championships, after being introduced to racing for only a little over a year, Casey Followay set a national record in the 60m track event at the age of 10 years old. Most people would be satisfied with holding a national record at the age of 10, but not Casey who recorded personal bests at this year’s Championships. He took 1st place in the 200m track event shattering his previous personal best time by 5 seconds, and raced respectfully in the 100m and 400m events. Showing off his well rounded athletic ability, Casey also earned a 1st place finish in the cadet category of the archery competition.