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Meet Team Navy 2024

April 4, 2024 | Story by Alyssa Ross | Navy Wounded Warrior

WASHINGTON - Navy Wounded Warrior has named the athletes who will compete for Team Navy during the 2024 Department of Defense Warrior Games, held this year at the ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Fla., June 21 - 30. This year's team includes 36 Sailors and 4 Coast Guardsmen who will compete against Team Army, Team Marines, Team Air Force, and Team Special Operations Command (SOCOM), as well as invited international teams.

The adaptive sports and recreation program promotes the mental and physical well-being of wounded, ill, and injured service members as part of a larger continuum of care that service members receive through Navy Wounded Warrior. For many, participation in adaptive athletics represents another milestone along their path to recovery and an opportunity to meet other wounded warriors who face similar challenges. Part of the larger DoD Warrior Care program, these reconditioning activities and competitive athletic opportunities help build self-esteem, lower stress levels, and invite service members to rejoin a team environment.

Modified equipment and additional classification systems allow each athlete to compete, regardless of their injury or illness. This year's team will compete in archery, cycling, sitting volleyball, swimming, track, field, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, shooting, indoor rowing, and powerlifting.

Team Roster

DC3 Jose Acostamejia, Navy

SN Kolawole Arubuolawe, Navy

MM3 Austin Belschner, Navy

HM3 Michael Best, Navy

AC2 Dafne Bonachea Tamargo, Navy

HM1 Johnathan Boswell (ret.), Navy

LT Justin Chase, Coast Guard

MMN3 Isaac Cho, Navy

OS2 Tiffany Clark, Navy

IT1 Maria Edwards, Navy

HM1 Vincent Falcetta, Navy

ETV2 Edward Farnon, Navy

HMCM Steven Flemming, Navy

MA1 David Fuller, Navy

GSM3 Jonathan Gancayco, Navy

AN Abigail Garcia, Navy

YN1 Angela Harris, Coast Guard

HM3 Kaitlin Harris, Navy

MA2 Kyle Higginbotham (ret.), Navy

FT2 Abdulrahman Ibn Asadullah, Navy

LS2 Rachel Iglesias (ret.), Navy

IT2 Ainesey Inguanzo, Navy

HM2 Jerome Jeffrey, Navy

EM2 Malik Jones, Coast Guard

MA3 Bryce Laake-Stanfield, Navy

MASN Roberto Lopez, Navy

AWO2 Levi Moore (ret.), Navy

LT Jarek Neczypor (ret.), Navy

MA2 Storm Oliver, Navy

HM3 Johnathan Paige (ret.), Navy

CTT1 Jiesyl Rama (ret.), Navy

MA2 Dillon Ripperger, Navy

FCA2 Kayla Saska, Navy

YNCS Michele Schmidt, Navy

CWTCS Mitchell Sheppard, Navy

RDML Edward St. Pierre, Coast Guard

HM3 Gabrielle Varhola (ret.), Navy

NC1 Tiffany Whetstonestaley, Navy

PS2 Maria Concepcion Yuvienco, Navy

IS3 Gabriella Zamora, Navy

About Adaptive Athletics

Fitness and teamwork are a way of life in the military. Serious illness or injury can profoundly impact that way of life, often confining a service member to a hospital bed and significantly altering their physical capabilities. Adaptive athletics are sports that have been modified to meet the abilities of injured or ill individuals. They help wounded warriors build strength and endurance, while also drawing inspiration from their teammates. All wounded warriors enrolled in Navy Wounded Warrior are encouraged to include adaptive athletics in their recovery plans to build strength and endurance. Sports also helps build self-esteem, lowers stress levels, and invites service members to rejoin a supportive team environment. 

Numquam Navigare Solus – Never to Sail Alone

Navy Wounded Warrior is an unbiased advocate that bridges the needs of commands, care teams, and service members in planning a way forward after a serious wound, illness, or injury. Staff guide Sailors and Coastguardsmen, with their families and caregivers, to create a comprehensive recovery plan, which provides a holistic approach tailored to individual recovery, rehabilitation, and reintegration needs. The program allows service members and their families to feel empowered and supported as they adapt to their new normal. To date, nearly 10,000 seriously wounded, ill, and injured service members located throughout the country received assistance from Navy Wounded Warrior.

Sailors and Coast Guardsmen may self-refer to Navy Wounded Warrior, or be referred by a family member, their command leadership or their medical team. Contact the Navy Wounded Warrior call center at 855-NAVY WWP / 855-628-9997, or email navywoundedwarrior.fct@navy.mil.

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