Special Operations leads medal count after cycling at 2014 Warrior Games

from U.S. Olympic Committee

9/30/2014 - COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- U.S. Special Operations Command finished atop the medal standings with nine medals after the second day of competition at the 2014 Warrior Games.

The first medals of the Games were awarded at the cycling competition held at Fort Carson. Athletes competed in road races ranging from 10 to 30-kilometers.

Special Operations won both the overall medal count and gold-medal count in the cycling events. Five athletes won gold for Special Operations: retired Sgt. Maj. Shawn Mello (Clearwater, Florida) in the men's C4 race, Master Sgt. Mark Vomund (Pleasant Hill, California) in the open race, stoker Capt. Ivan Castro (Fayetteville, North Carolina) and pilot Richard Kirby in the men's tandem, Cpl. Justin Gaertner (Tama, Florida) in the men's and women's H5 race and Sgt. Maj. David Neumer (Chicago, Illinois) in the open handcycle race.

While many of the athletes are already accomplished cyclists, for some it was the first time to discover their competitive potential.

"I handcycle recreationally, and today was first time-ever competing," said retired Navy Aviation Technician 3rd Class Angel Segarra (Sierra Vista, Arizona). "I was pretty anxious on the start line and felt really nervous. I just told myself to just take care of number one and do my best, so I was happy to win in my class."

Segarra took first place in the men's H3 race.

On the second night of sitting volleyball competition, the Marines continued their undefeated streak as they beat Army 2-0 (25-8, 25-20) and Air Force 2-0 (25-23, 25-20). Army also added a win to their tally as they beat Special Operations 2-0 (26-24, 25-19). It was a close game between the Air Force and Navy, but Navy took the win 2-1 (17-25, 25-21, 15-12). The sitting volleyball tournament continues each night, with the gold-medal game taking place on Thursday, Oct. 2.

In the first night of wheelchair basketball action, Navy beat Air Force 38-19, and the Marines beat Special Operations 36-9. The double elimination tournament continues throughout the week, with the gold-medal game on Friday, Oct. 3.

MEDAL COUNT

Special Operations holds first place in the medal table after the second day of competition with nine medals (five gold, one silver, three bronze). The Marines have six medals (one gold, three silver, two bronze), The Air Force has five medals (three gold, one silver, one bronze), the Army has four medals (two gold, two silver) and the Navy has three medals (one gold, one silver, one bronze).

Two-hundred wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans will compete over six days of competition in the fifth annual Warrior Games. Competitions are free and open to the public.

The 2014 Warrior Games is hosted by the USOC with support from Deloitte, the presenting sponsor, and other supporting partners including the Department of Defense, AT&T, BP, Dow, Semper Fi Fund, The Fisher House Foundation, The Daniels Fund and USO.

Today's competition will feature swimming during the day, while wheelchair basketball and sitting volleyball continue in the evening.