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Gallaudet student-athletes represent USA in U21 World Deaf Basketball Championships in Poland
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Over the weekend the first-ever Under 21 (U21) World Deaf Basketball Championships for men and women began in Lublin, Poland, and the United States of America contingent was well represented by current Gallaudet University student-athletes. The U21 World Deaf Basketball Championships run from June 25 until July 3.
The USA men’s and women’s teams are in Pool A and are both undefeated through the first three days of the competition. The championships got underway Friday, June 25, with men’s and women’s game along with Opening Ceremonies. Pool play continues until Tuesday, June 29, followed by a rest day and then the start of the medal round on Thursday, July 1. The gold medal games will end the competition on Saturday, July 3, followed by closing ceremonies. There are 12 teams in the men’s competition including Canada, Estonia, Great Britain, Israel, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine, USA and Venezuela and eight in the women’s field including Belarus, Ireland, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Sweden, Ukraine and the USA.
The U.S. men’s team is coached by Keith Westhoelter and assisted by Rick Harrigan, who served as an assistant coach at Gallaudet for the past two years. The team manager is Gallaudet’s own Colin Whited. Current Bison student-athletes on the men’s team included Kevin Berrigan (Frederick, Md.), Daniel Fava (Baltimore, Md.), Brandon McMillan (Frederick, Md.), Gabriel Paulone (Fishers, Ind.) and Joshua Sisco (Spartanburg, S.C.).
Four current Bison student-athletes are on the U.S. women’s team, led by coach Deb Ayres, including All-American Easter Faafiti (Pittsburg, Calif.), Andrea Amati (Frederick, Md.), Shaquana McDonough (Pembroke, Mass.) and Ann Whited (Fishers, Ind.).
“This is my first time traveling out of the country,” said Faafiti days before she left for Poland. “We had to raise a lot of money to help support our travel with the team and we want to thank those sponsors for their generosity. Our goal is to win a gold medal. I am proud to represent the USA!”
Fans can follow the action of the U21 World Deaf Basketball Championships live over the internet. Please review the links below. The host web page also has current standings and photos from the contests. Poland time is six hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.
U21 World Deaf Basketball Championships
