Local wheelchair team overcomes adversity, excels in power
soccer
The Hollister Free Wheelers had a strong showing in the Power Soccer World Invitational in Indianapolis, Ind. on June 4-6.
The “A” Division team placed second behind Japan, while the “B” Division team placed third.
For the 13 athletes who represented Hollister, the tournament was a chance for them to continue the success they have enjoyed since the team was founded in 1997. The team has seven players who have been there from the beginning.
For most of the athletes, the tournament was more than winning and losing. For most, the competition provides a way to enjoy a type of freedom where they can forget the bounds of their wheelchairs. It is a time of bonding and friendship with other players.
Most of the players on the team are from Hollister, but there are players on the team from Gilroy, Modesto, Monterey and Watsonville.
The “A” team finished with a 5-1-1 record in the tournament. The tie was against France, and Japan won 5-3 in the championship game.
This is the second time Hollister has competed against Japan for the championship. Three years ago when Japan last attended a tournament in the United States, they shut out Hollister.
Everyone on the “A” team scored at least one goal throughout the tournament. Omar Solorio and his brother Jairo scored 21 goals each.
The two women on the team (Michele Rosado and Monica Chavez) both scored four goals. Shane Arzie had several great blocks and set up scoring opportunities. Robert Hallett “the wall” was the main goalie and did not allow a goal until the third game.
Hollister scored a total of 52 goals and held the opposition to just 12.
The “B” team won six of the seven games played. They were defeated in the semifinals by the Power Cirge from Charlotte, who went on to win first in their division. The “B” team won its next game to bring home a third-place trophy.
Chad Arzie, who scored 25 of the 36 goals, won first place for the one-on-one competition.
Dave Walters had 10 goals of his own, and Eric Tognazzini got in on the action with a goal against the team from Rockford, Ill.
Michael Martin, from Gilroy, and Joey Sorensen provided some good assists to set up many of the goals. Luis Garcia and Cassie Dalman shared the responsibility of goalie.
The cross country trip always poses a challenge for the team. In addition to arriving early at the airport, the wheelchairs have to be loaded in storage. On the trip back on Monday, unloading all the chairs took a couple hours.
“We’ve been doing it for several years, and it gets a little easier,” said organizer Susan Jones. “There is a lot that goes with it. But all the volunteers do it because they love to do it. They like to see their smiles.”
The team members, with the help of friends and family, raised more than $17,000 to make the trip.
Most of the money was raised through donations and fund-raisers with the Specialized Hollister Activities and Recreation Program, and $3,000 was received through a grant by the Children’s Miracle Network.
Free Wheelers’ History
1997
– Team formed in the fall
1998
– Placed fifth out of six teams in first tournament in San Jose
2000
– SHARP is formed to help with funding
– Free Wheelers take second overall in National tournament in Arizona
– Nationwide, “A” and “B” divisions are established later that year.
2001
– “B” team wins first place in Arizona, “A” team takes second behind Japan
2002
– Both “A” and “B” teams win National Championship in Arizona
2003
– National tournament moved to Alabama
-“A” team wins 1st place again
-“B” team unable to attend due to lack of funds
– Two Free Wheelers are awarded letter jackets in sports from San Benito High School for time spent on power soccer
– Hollister hosts Northern California Classic regional tournament
– Both “A” and “B” teams plan to attend international competition in Indiana
2004
– Hollister hosts Northern California Classic regional tournament
– “A” team finishes third in international tournament in Indiana and “B” team finishes second
