BAMC Soldiers take part in 2013 Warrior Games

 

By Marsha Huffman
BAMC Public Affairs

 

Photo By Sgt. Robert Shields Sgt. Ryan McIntosh works on his muscles to prepare for the discus throw and shot put competition in the 2013 Warrior Games. McIntosh, a returning participant, competed in track and field, wheelchair basketball, swimming and sitting volleyball.

Six wounded warriors from Brooke Army Medical Center Warrior Transition Battalion recently geared up to compete in the 2013 Warrior Games at Colorado Springs, Colo., which took place Saturday through Thursday.

Maj. Thomas Davis, Master Sgt. Rhoden Galloway, Staff Sgt. Michael Lage, Sgt. Delvin Matson, Sgt. Ryan McIntosh and Spc. Quinton Picone were chosen to represent the Army team, which competed against 200 athletes from all military services.

The competition allowed wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans the ability to showcase their physical capabilities in archery, cycling, shooting, wheelchair basketball, swimming, sitting volleyball and track and field.

To master these skills, the Soldiers trained vigorously four times a week. BAMC WTB staff and other warriors were also involved with the training regimen to help them boost their morale and confidence to excel in the Warrior Games.

They all agreed that it is more than winning a medal – it’s about overcoming the challenges of their disabilities.

Lage, despite his combat injuries and a recent sprained ankle, competed in cycling and shooting. He said he doesn’t let his injuries hinder him from doing what he loves to do.

“I have to be active. I’ve always been athletic and very competitive,” he said. “I learned to shoot when I was a kid and I’ve been riding the recumbent tricycle for a year. I also cycled about 300 miles recently with the Ride2Recovery cycling tour.

“Participating in adaptive sports gives me an outlet in a nonaggressive, competitive way,” he added. “When I’m cycling I listen to music or think about my past and my future. Other than winning, my motivation is to show others that your life is not over – it gets easier. Don’t give up.”

McIntosh said warriors should have an open mind and not let their injuries get in the way of getting back to normal.

As a returning 2012 Warrior Games participant and BAMC WTB adaptive sports noncommissioned officer, he trains hard to be mentally and physically prepared to compete again in track and field, wheelchair basketball, swimming, and sitting volleyball.

Competing for the third time, Galloway isn’t new to the game and is scheduled to compete in cycling and swimming this year. He believes that participating in Warrior Games builds self-esteem, motivation, and inspiration for the wounded warriors.

“I watch the Soldiers overcome unreal obstacles and perform at world class levels,” he said. “I see and hear about others taking on life, exploring things they never thought of and challenging their minds and bodies to do things that most healthy humans attempt to do.”

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