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Athletes with connections to �����Թ�’s public universities will begin their quest for a medal at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. The 21 athletes with ties to each institution are set to compete at the games representing the world’s 1.2 billion individuals with disabilities.

The University of �����Թ� will be represented by 15 athletes and coaches, including current students and alumni. �����Թ� State University will have five current and former students. Northern �����Թ� University will be represented by two students and alumni vying for medals.  One athlete, Eric Bennett, studied at both NAU and ASU and will be representing both institutions.

�����Թ�’s representative athletes will compete in eight events at the games: para swimming, para archery, para triathlon, para track and field, sitting volleyball, wheelchair rugby, wheelchair basketball, and wheelchair tennis.

“On behalf of the board, we want to congratulate all our current and former students who have earned the honor to compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games,” said �����Թ� Board of Regents Chair Cecilia Mata. “At our public universities, we celebrate diversity and access for all students and athletes by providing the elite equipment, facilities, and resources necessary to achieve success in the classroom and on the field. The persistence, strength, and confidence of �����Թ�’s Paralympians serve as an inspiration to all in our state and as the games commence this week, we wish them the best of luck as they strive for glory.”

The 2024 Paralympic Games will kick off on Aug. 28 with the opening ceremony and run through Sept. 8. Fans of �����Թ�’s student-athletes are encouraged to follow the action via the Paralympic  and the ."

Below is a full list of �����Թ� public university connections at the 2024 Paralympic Games: 

�����Թ� State University 
Eric Bennett,para archery, USA 
Korban Best, para track and field, USA 
Owen Cravens, para triathlon, USA
Allysa Seely, para triathlon, USA
Taylor Swanson, para track and field, USA

Northern �����Թ� University 
Eric Bennett, para archery, USA
Keegan Knott, para swimming, USA

University of �����Թ� 
Chuck Aoki, wheelchair rugby, USA
Josie Aslakson, wheelchair basketball, USA
Whitney Dosty, sitting volleyball, USA
Phil Evans, wheelchair basketball, Australia
Lee Fredette, wheelchair rugby, USA
Melanie Hawtin, wheelchair basketball, Canada
Rio Kanda Kovac, wheelchair rugby, Canada
Dana Mathewson, wheelchair tennis, USA
Chuck Melton, wheelchair rugby, USA
Blaise Mutware, wheelchair basketball, Canada
Josh O’Neill, wheelchair rugby, USA
Courtney Ryan, wheelchair basketball, USA
Natalie Schneider, wheelchair basketball, USA
Chelsea Stein, para track and field, USA
Josh Wheeler, wheelchair rugby, USA