Disabled Youth Gets Award for Athletics

A newly established award for outstanding ability and sportsmanship among disabled athletes was presented Saturday to Willie Hernandez, 17, of Lakewood at the Eighth Annual Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp in Mission Viejo.

The David Shanbrom Memorial Outstanding Wheelchair Athlete Award was presented by Edward and Helen Shanbrom, whose son was killed two years ago in a freeway accident. David Shanbrom, 27, was a former football captain at Foothill High School in Santa Ana.

The award recognizes exceptional athletic ability, sportsmanship, leadership, fairness and enthusiasm, said Jeri Burbank, a spokeswoman for the camp at Saddleback College.

With the award, Hernandez will receive a trip to the University of Illinois in July to compete in an advanced camp for wheelchair athletes.