Thursday, October 29, 2009

Team USA captures silver

Team USA pairs capture a silver medal in competition after a well played match against Canada. Captain Austin Hanson, Sam Williams and Charlie Fleisch are bringing home hardware- hope we make it through customs. Team USA would like to thank BlazeSports America, USP and all of our followers, supporters, fans and family for your continuous support. We will see you all stateside.

Team USA

Cool pic of the day...


U.S. Consulate staff member Kevin Markl poses with Team U.S.A.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Team USA racks up wins in pairs competition

Coming off a bronze medal finish in individual play, captain Austin Hanson continues to lead his teammates Sam Williams and Charlie Fleisch toward the goal of improving the United States world ranking. The pairs posted wins against Mexico 10-0 and Argentina 5-2. A win against Brazil tomorrow would clinch minimally a silver medal in pairs. Team USA will then square off with what could likely be the gold medal match with Team Canada. Go team USA!

US Consulate Supports Team USA

US Consulate staff representative Kevin Markl came out to support Team USA and was impressed with the level of competition that he observed. After pairs play, Mr. Markl was introduced to the team and expressed his appreciation for the invitation and opportunity to view the sport.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Team USA captures first medal

Austin Hanson;Topeka Kansas, lost a grueling semifinal match 4-5 to move on to capture the bronze medal in the bc3 individual division!! Team USA completed an evening of training prior to tomorrows start of teams and pairs competition.

Celebrating a birthday and a win!


Chris Ludwig celebrates his birthday with his first international win over team Mexico.
Photo by Marybeth Jones; Team Manager Blaze Sports America.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Team USA Athletes Advance to Finals

BC1 athletes TJ Hawker and Jennifer Jay and BC3 athlete Austin Hanson rocked the house with their matches today advancing to tomorrows finals. Christopher Ludwig, newest member to Team USA and the international scene celebrated his golden birthday today with a 4 - 2 win over Team Mexico.

Opening Ceremony and practice...

TEAM USA completed equipment checks and warm ups for individual competition shortly after arriving in Montreal. Opening ceremonies began at 7:30pm Saturday (Oct 24) night. Please check out some of the picture highlights.
Ms. Corneel van der HeidenChair CPISRA Boccia Committee speaking to the delegations

Sam Wiliams and Bruce Ashby practicing for the start of competition



Team USA Delegation at opening ceremonies

Sunday, October 25, 2009

We are on a roll...........

Today's individual games had many great moments!! Leading the BC3 division Austin Hanson posted 3 wins! Sam Williams had 1 win, 1 draw and 1 loss. Charlie Fleisch is 1:2 today. In BC2 division Brigid Mason and Chris Ludwig are 0-2 after some hard fought matches. Rounding out the team, TJ Hawker had some incredible play today and is 2-0. Jennifer Jay is at 1-1 and Andy Olivarez is 0-2. We wish these competitors a great Monday of competition.
After the last games of the pools, Bc3's posting the number 1 or 2 side in their pool along with 2 wildcards from the remaining 3 pools will advance out into brackets. BC1 and BC2 competitors will advance out pools and begin bracket rounds on Tuesday. This Tuesday will prove to be a great day of competition with individual finals followed by an evening of practice for team and pair play beginning Wednesday. Our team goal is focused on team and pair play to advance our world rankings, ending ultimately in a spot for the 2012 paralympics in London. We want to wish our teammate Chris Ludwig a Happy Brithday as he is turning 26 on Monday the 26th!! Congrats Chris. Who do we play for.......U.S.A.!

Competition Starts TODAY!!

After a great day practicing and an exciting opening ceremonies Team USA gets down to business today. BC1 and BC2 divisions each have 2 individual games today. BC3 division are playing 3 individual matches. Results to follow...

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Team is settling in

Team USA has landed safely in Montreal. We begin a day of equipment checks, team practice and opening ceremonies tonight. Christopher Ludwig from Wheaton,Il will lead the team in opening ceremonies tonight as the flag bearer. Go Team USA!

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Meet the Team...



We are proud to introduce the 2009 Boccia TEAM USA who will be competing at the 2009 Boccia Americas Cup this weekend (October 24-29) in Montreal, Canada...
Charlie Fleisch - Massapequa, NY

Austin Hanson - Topeka, Kansas



Timothy Hawker - Toledo, Ohio


Jennifer Jay - Pinnellas Park, Florida


Greg Lallky - Kansas City, Missouri


Christopher Ludwig - Wheaton, Illinois


Brigid Mason


Andy Olivarez



Mark Paramadani - Farmingdale, New York


Sam Williams - Elmhurst, Illinois