Leading adaptive recreation organization announces athletes set to compete on 2021 competition team, including Paralympic hopefuls
PARK CITY, UTAH (Dec. 22, 2020) – The National Ability Center, a leading non-profit organization that provides world-class adaptive recreation and outdoor adventures for individuals and families with differing abilities, announced its High-Performance team roster for the 2021 competition season. Featuring a selection of rookies and returning members, this impressive list of athletes is set to compete from winter 2020 to spring 2021. The team will begin showcasing their skills at the annual Huntsman Cup, which is scheduled to run from Jan. 27 to Jan. 29, 2021. =
“We are grateful to assemble a talented Alpine ski and snowboard team for another year, especially amid current tribulations. The 2021 team features Paralympic hopefuls, such as Chris Biggins and Saylor O’Brien, as well as a few new faces making their debut,” says Erik Leirfallom, NAC Competition Team Coach. “What I believe makes this roster noteworthy is the diversity of backgrounds and accomplishments. I am honored to be coaching international competitors, U.S. National team competitors, Paralympic trainees, and Winter X Games winners.”
Some members of the National Ability Center’s High-Performance teams will include:
- Chris Biggins
- Saylor O’Brien
- Evan Lalanne
- Orlando Perez
- Ally Kunkel
- Andrew Haragehy
- Micheal Ferrin
- Takehisa Matsuda
- Matthew Brewer
- Michael O’Hearn
- Danelle Umstead
- Izzy Hicks
- Tyler Divilio
- Nicole Raab
- Thomas Wilson
Through the competition team programs, the National Ability Center is able to propel adaptive athletes with physical disabilities to place in qualifying events for the and other national and international competitions, as well as achieve their personal athletic goals. This year, the NAC is implementing strategic health and safety precautions to keep all athletes and staff safe, as well as abide by county and state mandates for COVID-19. To learn more about the High-Performance Alpine and snowboard teams for 2021, visit www.discovernac.org/compete/high-performance/. To view the full team roster, visit www.discovernac.org/athletes/.
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About the National Ability Center
The National Ability Center provides world-class adaptive recreation and Splore outdoor adventures for individuals and families of differing abilities, physical, cognitive, and developmental, including competitive athletes, youth, veterans, and more. Rooted in Park City, UT for over 30 years, with additional facilities in Salt Lake City and Moab, the National Ability Center empowers participants by building self-esteem, confidence and lifetime skills through inclusive programming and activities such as alpine and nordic skiing, snowboarding, horseback riding, cycling, swimming, rafting, archery, among others. With Vail’s EpicPromise as the National Ability Center’s largest annual community partner, NAC is globally recognized as a leader in adaptive sports. For more information, visit www.discovernac.org.
