Day 7 of Team USA’s performance in the 2023 Parapan American Games included a gold in women’s basketball and a plethora of successes in athletics and swimming. 

On the track, seven U.S. athletes stood on the podium, collecting seven combined medals. Jonathan Gore and Zachary Blair finished second and third, respectively, in the men’s T64 100m, while Robert Hunt and Phillip Croft recorded another silver and bronze in the men’s T53 100m. 

In field events, Beatriz Hatz won gold in the T42/44/T61-64 long jump, while Max Rohn and Beth Grauer earned silvers in the F64 men’s discus throw and F32/33/34 women’s shot put. Rohn and Grauer are both U.S. Military veterans. Grauer spent 15 years in the Marine Corps. Rohn served in Iraq.

Samantha Bosco, who won gold in a road cycling event on Nov. 19, carried over her stellar performances to the Velódromo where she placed first in the women’s C4-5 3000m Individual Pursuit. Team USA also boasted two more first-place finishes in Michael Stephens (men’s B 1000m Individual Pursuit) and Hannah Chadwick-Dias (women’s B 1000m Individual Time Trial). 

Swimming entailed a collective 12 medals. Team USA came second in the Mixed 4×100 Freestyle Relay and clinched 2-of-3 podium spots in the women’s SB8 100m Breaststroke. Notably, Taylor Winnett took first in the women’s 100m Backstroke S10. 

In goalball, the United States fell by a slim 4-3 margin to Canada in the women’s finals. Despite Lisa Marie Czechowski tallying two scores, the U.S. fell victim to two penalty goals in the loss. On the men’s side, it lost 12-2 to reigning Paralympic champions Brazil. Despite trailing just 2-0 at halftime, Team USA was outscored 10-2 in the second half. 

“We kind of see where we stand right now, what we need to work on going into Paris (2024), and honing our craft for these next nine months, and really just pushing hard because we want a medal in Paris,” Team USA’s Zachary Buhler, who finished with both U.S. goals on the night, said.  

On the tennis court, fresh off of a doubles win with countrywoman Maylee Phelps, Dana Mathewson defeated Colombia’s Angelica Bernal 6-3, 4-6, 6-2  in the women’s singles finals gold medal match. 

However, the most dominant showing of the day belonged to the U.S. women’s basketball team. Defeating Canada 62-56, Team USA never once trailed throughout the entire tournament. Led by Lindsey Zurbrugg’s 17 points, it utilized a strong second half showing to come out on top. 

“I just had to rely on my teammates,” Team USA’s Courtney Ryan said. “They had full confidence in me so that fourth quarter was a camaraderie win for my teammates for keeping that confidence.”

PHOTO OF THE DAY: 

ON SATURDAY: Following a dominant 88-54 semifinal win over Argentina, U.S. men’s basketball faces Colombia in the final. The United States will also sport several competitors in medal matches across swimming and athletics while its Cerebral Palsy Football team will vie for third place against Venezuela. 

Check out the Wheelchair Sports Federation Media page for constant coverage throughout the 2023 Parapan American Games.