Veterans wheelchair games inspire trio of Alle-Kiski Valley residents
Pittsburgh Tribune-ReviewSep 09, 2018
They also still are basking in their success at the most recent games last month in
Each brought home several medals from the games that featured competitors from all 50 states,
"There were so many inspiring people there, and a lot of people to share experiences with," said Beck, a 44-year-old
Beck, a former enlisted member of the
Beck fared well at the Buckeye Wheelchair Games in
He came home from
"There was just awesome competition," Beck said. "It gave me a lot more energy and motivation to come back and do better next year."
Beck also competed in the shot put and nine-ball pool.
Each wheelchair athlete was placed in a competition group based on their age and paralysis level.
As a first-year competitor, Beck was in the novice division.
"Just being able to compete at any level is a great feeling," Beck said.
Baylor, 71, who also competed at the first national wheelchair games in 1981, won seven gold, two silver and two bronze medals in the Senior Division (ages 60 and older) in
He won gold in the 100, 200, 400 and 800 wheelchair races; the 800 biathlon; the shot put; and the discus. Silver medals came in weightlifting and javelin with bronze in quad rugby and team relay.
"These games are the world's largest of their type," Baylor said. "It's always great to get back and see all your old friends. You always make new ones while you are there. There were more than 1,500 people at our closing ceremonies banquet."
Rosensteel, 58, an
The Apollo resident has returned each year and fared well in
"I did the 5K handcycle race, and that was grueling," Rosensteel said. "My handcycle was stuck in seventh gear. Being unable to shift made it a little more tasking."
Rosensteel, paralyzed in a swimming pool diving accident 35 years ago, captured silver medals in bowling/ramp (manual) and motorized rally in the Masters Division.
He uses a power wheelchair operated with a joystick. He has no use of his hands, but he moves the joystick with the limited use of his arms.
"We're really excited about next year's games," Rosensteel said.
Beck, Rosensteel and Baylor represented the Keystone chapter of the
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