Veterans to Compete in Wheelchair Games

Athletes in wheelchairs who are from the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys are expected to compete beginning Saturday in the 17th National Veterans Wheelchair Games in San Diego, event organizers announced this week.

The local veterans will be among 600 athletes from 40 states, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia and Great Britain vying for medals at the games, which will continue through July 10.

Events include track and field, swimming, basketball, rugby, bowling, weightlifting, archery, wheelchair slalom and air gun marksmanship competitions.

All participating athletes use wheelchairs due to spinal cord injuries, neurological conditions, orthopedic amputations and other disabilities, organizers said.

Area athletes expected to take part are Scott Zemer, 37, of Van Nuys, competing in air gun and archery events; Richard Pugh, 61, of North Hills, shotput, javelin and archery; John Schaefer, 69, of San Fernando, bowling, weightlifting, motorized wheelchair rally, shotput and javelin; Larry Foster, 38, of Arleta, slalom, basketball and air gun; and Howard Haller, 51, of Canyon Country, nine-ball billiards, slalom, discus, javelin and air gun.

Athletes compete according to their ability within three divisions--masters (over age 40), open (40 and younger) and novice (first-time competitors in wheelchair sports), organizers said. Within those divisions, there are individual classes for quadriplegic and paraplegic athletes.

The games, presented by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Paralyzed Veterans of America, are hosted this year by the Veterans Administration San Diego Healthcare System.