Hillsborough Disabled Youth Athletes Shine At Junior Nationals

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — Hillsborough County athletes took home the gold – and the silver and the bronze – from this year’s Move United Junior Nationals tournament.

The Move United Junior Nationals, North America’s oldest and largest continuously held competitive sports event for athletes with physical disabilities, was held July 17-23 in Denver, Colorado.

The six Hillsborough competitors brought home 28 gold, seven silver and two bronze medals while setting five national records.

In addition, Logan Krepop was honored with the Spirit of Excellence award for exemplifying sportsmanship, leadership and athletic achievement.

The Hillsborough County athletes, their sports, and ages are:

• JT Gerstner: track and field, age 11.
• Dani Kanas: track and field, age 16.
• Logan Krepop: track and field, age 19.
• Emanuel Martinez: archery, age 14
• Kira Stevens: swimming, track and field, age 17.
• Momo Sutton: swimming, track and field, age 14.

All six athletes participate in Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation’s adaptive sports, a signature program that provides year-round sports and recreation that promote physical activity, healthy lifestyles, and recreational and competitive sports opportunities.

The Move United Junior Nationals began in 1984. The tournament is a weeklong national sport championship event for athletes ages 6 to 22 with a physical disability and/or visual impairment.

Competitions include archery, paratriathlon, powerlifting, swimming, and track and field.