Former Paratrooper Now Serves as Paralympian

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.

American Forces Press Service

LONDON - After serving her country for nearly 10 years as a paratrooper, Centra “Cece” Mazyck continues to answer the nation's call at the 2012 Paralympic Games here.

Mazyck, who served with the 82nd Airborne Division, based at Fort Bragg, N.C., is a javelin thrower for the 2012 U.S. Paralympic team.

“It's been a great, great journey [and] experience,” she said. “It's surreal. The crowd is phenomenal.”

Here for her first Paralympic Games, the Army veteran explained what goes through her mind as she prepares to compete.

“I try to stay focused and try to remember all the points,” Mazyck said. “Chest first – lead with your chest. [I try to] make sure I get that long stretch in the back with the javelin, and [then] just fire like a rubber band. “[I] just continuously run through that process in my head.”

Mazyck said she is so passionate about the javelin, she decided to forgo the other traditional track and field events.

“I think the javelin found me,” she said. “I really have a passion for it. It's a really technical sport. I just fell in love with it. I dropped everything else – shot put, discus – for the javelin. I love it.”

In the Army, Mazyck started off as an administrative specialist in the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade at Fort Bragg jumping with the 82nd Airborne Division.

“And then I moved on to the Advanced Airborne Course Jump Master School,” she said, “where I became a jump master,” she said.

On a high-altitude jump in November 2003, Mazyck suffered a spinal cord injury.

“Unfortunately, on that cold November day, I got entangled with another jumper and I landed wrong, which caused me to become an incomplete paraplegic,” she said. “I retired in 2005.”

Mazyck credits her military career for helping her “adapt and overcome” – she calls that her sports motto -- and become a Paralympian.

“Being a paratrooper, and being in the military service, definitely helped me become a Paralympian,” she said. “With both of them, you have to stay focused and dedicated. And you have to serve your country with the utmost respect. So that's how the two are very parallel.”

Mazyck said she is grateful for the privilege of serving her country again, and looks forward to the 2016 Paralympic Games, set to take place in Rio de Janeiro.

“It is definitely an honor to serve my country – No. 1, as a veteran, and No. 2, as a Paralympian,” she said. “Words cannot express [my feelings]. I just think God gave me a second chance to serve my country. I will not let … any adversity stop me. I will proceed on. … Look out, Rio!”

Medalist Shares 'Humbling' Experience of Paralympic Competition

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.

American Forces Press Service

LONDON – The opportunity to compete in the 2012 Paralympic Games and to represent the United States in front of huge crowds has been a humbling experience, a U.S. Paralympic swimmer said here today.

Navy Lt. Bradley Snyder spoke during a news conference here today, a day before the one-year anniversary of losing his sight in Afghanistan.

“I don't get nervous very easily,” he said. “I kind of pride myself on my stoicism and my ability to utilize my experiences in the Navy to stress-manage.

“But I got incredibly nervous the first time I came out in front of that crowd,” he continued. “It's a very, very humbling experience to stand in front of that many people, and try to keep that distraction out and perform the way you want to.”

Snyder, who lost his vision Sept. 7, 2011, in an improvised explosive device attack, has won two Paralympic medals here. He set a Paralympic record during the qualifying round of the 100-meter freestyle swim, with a time of 57.18 seconds. Later in the day, he captured a gold medal during the final round of the same event.

“Both times I hopped out from the box, it was definitely a challenge to mitigate that distraction and still do what I wanted to do,” Snyder said. “It was really just … a kind of 'in the clouds' type of experience.”

The Navy lieutenant said he was grateful his U.S. Paralympic swimming teammates were there to support him for his inaugural event.

“It was really amazing to have my teammates behind me in my first swim,” Snyder said. “It gave me a lot of confidence, gave me a lot of momentum, and it kind of released the burden of the rest of the weeks of competition.”

Snyder also credited his military service with providing several skills beneficial to him as a blind swimmer.

“I think that earlier on in the military, you are [learning] a lot of virtues that set you up for success -- whether it's initiative,  commitment … [or] just being a regimented person,” he said.

Being organized and motivated, Snyder said, were valuable tools he picked up in the Navy that have carried him throughout his military service.

“My entire naval career is all kind of built along this idea that I'm a go-getter,” he said. “I want to go out and … experience success in whatever realm is kind of put in front of me.

“Blindness was just a new problem-solving challenge to me. I prided myself on my ability to do that,” Snyder added. “And once I reconciled the fact that I wasn't going to be able to see again, I just saw it as a new challenge and a new barrier to move past. And that's how I moved forward.”

Snyder said his six years as a Navy diver translated to his abilities as a blind swimmer.

“Contrary to the public opinion of diving, we do a lot of diving where it's not like gorgeous fish and shipwrecks and stuff like that,” he said. “It's diving in silt … and having to do intricate tasks underwater, where you can't see anything. [Having to be] able to do things under the water, blind -- it's not the first time I've had to do any of those things.”

Snyder said he believes the best is yet to come in his endeavors as a Paralympic swimmer.

“We work real hard, and I don't think we've tapped the potential I've had, but I've had an amazing experience here so far in London,” Snyder said. “It's an honor just to be here competing with the other para-athletes.”

Former Army Cadet Captures Paralympic Silver Medal

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.

American Forces Press Service

LONDON – Many Paralympic athletes participating in the 2012 Paralympic Games here have overcome diseases, injuries or other afflictions. But not many have suffered through a combination of all of those factors and still rose above them to experience success in their chosen sports the way Jennifer Schuble, a former cadet and three-letter varsity athlete at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., has been able to.

The former Army cadet suffered a traumatic brain injury during hand-to-hand combat training at the academy. She later was involved in a car accident in which her right arm was crushed and her TBI was exacerbated. In a final challenging blow, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2004.

Schuble, now a two-time Paralympian, spoke to American Forces Network here yesterday about the thrill of winning her second medal Sept. 1 at the Olympic Park's Velodrome and the electrifying crowd.

“It's just amazing hearing all the noises, screaming and roaring,” she said. “This is the loudest crowd I've ever raced in. And it's a sold-out crowd. It's just so amazing -- all these people, [and] they're screaming for us. It's just an environment that [brings excitement. People are wearing ear plugs [because] it's so loud in here. It's just like, ‘Wow!”

Schuble won her silver medal in the in the 500-meter time trial paracycling event, an event in which she earned the gold medal during the 2008 Beijing Paralympics.

“I knew I had to time the [starting] gate just right,” she said. “I had to get out fast. [I knew] I could jump it after all the false starts that happened earlier by other competitors throughout the week, and I timed the gate just right and went out like a rock star. I had the fastest lap, and I was holding on for dear life. I rode the fastest lap I've ever rode. It wasn't a gold medal round – I didn't defend my gold title – but still, Sarah [Storey of Great Britain] rode a great ride.”

Schuble said she’s pleased with her silver medal, and that she also has a bronze medal to add to her accomplishments, earned with her teammates in yesterday’s team sprint cycling event.

Although she has faced many mental and physical hurdles, Schuble has demonstrated the ability to continuously adapt and overcome the challenges of her disabilities.

“What helped me get through this is I set goals for myself,” she said. “I keep looking forward. I don't look back. And that's what kept me focused.”

Schuble noted she's been working in the gym to improve her balance and coordination. “That's what's kept me healthy and my disease in check,” she said.

Along with her resilience in overcoming her disabilities to be a successful Paralympic athlete, Schuble has applied her drive to academics as well. She graduated from the University of Alabama with a master's degree in production operation research, and she works full-time as an engineer for Mercedes-Benz Corp.

Although she didn't defend her gold here, Schuble said, she is satisfied with her performance after training for the last four years.

“I didn't get my Paralympic gold medal in the 500, but I got a silver, and I rode a personal best,” she noted. “So, I mean, to get two medals so far in the [2012] Paralympic Games, and I still have two more events, I can't be more happy.”

Family Supports Marine During Paralympic Competition

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.

American Forces Press Service

LONDON, Sept. 3, 2012 – The support of family helps to keep a service member grounded, whether serving in the military or competing in sports, the only active duty U.S. Marine in the 2012 Paralympic Games said here today.

Marine Corps Cpl. Rene Renteria, a radar repairman by trade and assigned to the Wounded Warrior Battalion at Camp Pendleton, Calif., is one of three active-duty service members competing in the Paralympic Games. He credits his family with keeping him focused, especially during tough times.

“I have wife and a daughter,” he said. “[They're] who I'm here for. They help me keep my head up, with whatever goes on. [Sometimes] it’s a struggle – I guess it's just all mental.”

Renteria said his wife was able to travel to Great Britain, along with his sister, to watch the Paralympic Games, but his daughter is in the United States with his parents.

The U.S. Paralympic soccer team forward, a native of Sun Valley, Calif., said his four years of military service have helped him reach the Paralympics. He has served a deployment [to Afghanistan, and he played on the 2010 All-Marines soccer team.

The first two games here have not gone well for the U.S. team, with losses to Ukraine, 9-0, and today to Brazil, 8-0. But Renteria still is proud of the team's efforts.

“Regardless of the score, we're going out there to compete,” he said. “We've got to push ourselves to be better than the last play we just did. We have to try to focus, and you've got to have your head up.” Great Britain is next up for the U.S. team tomorrow.

Renteria shared his thought process as he competes on the field and leads his team, trying to keep them as competitive as possible.

“You're trying to help the team,” he said. “You want to be able to support your team with whatever you do. I try to be one of the best. I try putting myself in the right position at the right time. It's exciting.”

The other Marines in his unit was very excited when they found out he would be competing in London, Renteria said. “[My unit was] more excited than I was coming here, just because I'm the first active from the Wounded Warrior [Battalion] to go to the Paralympics,” he added.

“It's an exciting, surreal moment. So I'm just waiting to see what [reaction] I go back to,” he said with a laugh.

Renteria said he was able to join the U.S. Paralympic soccer team through a sports medicine specialist at the Wounded Warrior Battalion who previously worked for the U.S. Olympic Committee and assisted him in contacting the team.

“My goal today was to go home with a medal,” Renteria said. “Just having a good experience and to win. I don't want to leave without a win.” He said he'll remain upbeat and “just keep my head up, and I know that things [will] always get better.”

Meanwhile, his teammate, Gavin Sibayan, a retired Army veteran and defender/midfielder for the team, reflected on the transition from being a service member to a Paralympic athlete.

“It's awesome to go from defending your country to competing for your country,” he said.

Archery Quarterfinals Pit U.S. Teammates Against Each Other

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON – A quarterfinals archery match here today thrilled the 2012 Paralympic Games crowd, as two U.S. teammates squared off in a tight contest that came down to the last arrow.

Shooting at the Royal Artillery Barracks, retired Army veteran Dugie Denton faced teammate Matthew Stutzman – known as “The Armless Archer” -- during the Men's Individual Open Compound Quarterfinals match.

“They're just the same as anybody else out there,” Denton said. “We bring a team, but we're individual shooters. So it's still on the individual.”

Following the grueling match in which nearly every arrow hit the yellow portion of the target for a 9- or 10-point score, a Paralympic commentator offered that it may have been the best match the Paralympics and Olympics had seen this year.

At one point, Denton hit three straight bull’s eyes, scoring a perfect 30 for the set, but he didn’t win his match.

“It was good shooting,” Denton said. “[Stutzman] didn't make a mistake, and I did. That's all that matters. Everybody makes a mistake – we're only human.

“It's unfortunate to shoot against your own teammate, because you know one of you is going home,” he continued. “I'd like to see both of us meet up [at the] end so we can shoot for the gold and silver.” The match between the two archers was close that the three-arrow-per-round, five-set match wasn't decided until the 30th arrow was fired. The very last arrow, as a dramatic announcer pointed out, decided the match's outcome.

“I gave it away,” said a disappointed, but upbeat Denton. “When I went to tip down, I just relaxed, and when you relax that hinge fires. And that's just how it is.” The archer said there weren't any technical issues as he worked through the match, but the hinge, ultimately, cost him advancement to the semifinal round.

“It was just the balance issue with tipping backwards,” he explained. “Nothing fancy – simple. It happens occasionally.”

Despite losing to his teammate, Denton said he looks forward to competing in the 2016 Paralympic Games.

The retired soldier noted he deals with effects from a traumatic brain injury, has reduced balance from a past ruptured eardrum, and had a plate put in his ankle after being shot during his military service. But he credited his ability to perform well and his disciplined demeanor to his previous military service.

“I feel a lot calmer than I think most of these guys do,” he said. “The mental training you go through in basic training and being deployed from overseas, … I think it helps a guy out a lot.”

Denton made no excuses for his loss as he spoke to reporters after the match, and he lauded the competition.

“The competition was spectacular,” he said. “It makes a guy feel good, except for that last arrow. [It's] just how she goes, and that one went high.

“I was hoping not so high,” he added with a chuckle.

Denton compared the moment of his hinge mishap to his other favorite pastime – fishing. “[It's] like catching the big fish – they always break off at the boat.”

The Paralympian, who lives in Montana, said he will enjoy the rest of his time in Great Britain with his wife and mother.

Stutzman stopped by and expressed his admiration for Denton. He said their competitive matches are the norm.

“This guy is insanely awesome,” Stutzman said. “We go back and forth all of the time, and most of the time, he comes out on top. It's always tough. [He's a] great guy.”