Team Navy Celebrates at 2013 Warrior Games Closing Ceremonies

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (NNS) -- Members of Team Navy joined with their competitors - as well as family and friends - to commemorate the successful conclusion of the 2013 Warrior Games May 16 at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Spring, Colo.

"Congratulations to all of the 2013 Warrior Games competitors," said Charlie Huebner, chief of Paralympics for the United States Olympic Committee, while addressing the crowd at Closing Ceremonies. "While we celebrate medals, this competition is really an example of how sport can change lives. We hope these service members and veterans don't stop here. The goal is for them to return home and get involved in sport programs in their communities."

Team Navy earned a total of 23 medals at the 2013 Warrior Games, including eight gold, five silver and 10 bronze medals. Team Navy achieved third place in the final team standings; it was bested by Team Army and Team Marines, which received the Warrior Games Chairman's Cup for the fourth consecutive year.

This was a ground-breaking year for Team Navy. The team had more female competitors than ever before, including its first-ever female Ultimate Champion contender, Navy Chief Gunner's Mate Jeannette Tarqueno. Also, for the first time since the inception of the Warrior Games, a female won a gold medal in a shooting event - Team Navy's Lt. j.g. Laura Root.

Team Navy also took home more gold medals than ever before in field events, throwing several lifetime-bests during the track and field competition.

"Our wounded warrior athletes demonstrated amazing skill, perseverance and heart," said Navy Lt. Megan Haydel, who coordinates the Navy Wounded Warrior (NWW) - Safe Harbor adaptive athletics program. "They have really grown as a team, and they made a lot of wonderful memories and friendships during the Warrior Games this year."

A complete Team Navy medal count is below:

GOLD MEDALS
Shooting
Prone, SH1: Retired Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician John Kremer
Prone, Open: Lt. j.g. Laura Root

Track & Field
Men's 1500M (Below the Knee (Single & Double)): Lt. Tim Kraynack
Men's Shot Put (Visually Impaired): Retired Builder Constructionman Roy "Dan" Peters
Men's Discus (Visually Impaired): Retired Builder Constructionman Roy "Dan" Peters
Men's Shot Put (Wheelchair): Retired Master-at-Arms Seaman Steve Hancock
Men's Discus (Wheelchair): Retired Master-at-Arms Seaman Steve Hancock
Men's Discus (Other Ambulatory): Retired Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Max Rohn

SILVER MEDALS
Track & Field
Men's 200M (Below the Knee (Single & Double)): Lt. Tim Kraynack
Men's Shot Put (Other Ambulatory): Retired Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Max Rohn
Women's Discus (Wheelchair/Other Combined): Mineman 1st Class Linda Simpson

Swimming
Women's 50M Freestyle (SLA): Mineman 1st Class Linda Simpson
Women's 100M Freestyle (SLA): Mineman 1st Class Linda Simpson

BRONZE MEDALS
Cycling
Mixed Tandem: Retired Navy Builder Constructionman Roy "Dan" Peters

Track & Field
Men's 100M (Visually Impaired): Retired Builder Constructionman Roy "Dan" Peters
Men's 200M (Visually Impaired): Retired Builder Constructionman Roy "Dan" Peters
Men's 1500M (Visually Impaired): Retired Builder Constructionman Roy "Dan" Peters
Men's 100M (Below the Knee (Single & Double)): Lt. Tim Kraynack
Men's 1500M (Open): Retired Navy Aviation Boatswain's Mate, Handler, 2nd Class Steve Miller
Men's 4x100M Relay (Open)

Swimming
Men's 50M Freestyle (Open): Retired Lt. John Edmonston
Women's 50M Backstroke (SLA): Mineman 1st Class Linda Simpson

Wheelchair Basketball: Team Navy

More than 200 wounded service members from the U.S. and the U.K. participated in the Warrior Games, which were presented by Deloitte and hosted by the U.S. Olympic Committee. The teams include Air Force, Army, Marines, Navy, Special Operations and the U.K. Armed Forces.

Team Navy is sponsored by Navy Wounded Warrior (NWW) - Safe Harbor, the Navy and Coast Guard's wounded warrior support program. The team members have upper-body and/or lower-body injuries, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, visual impairments, serious illnesses, and/or post-traumatic stress.

For the latest news about the 2013 Warrior Games, visit the NWW Facebook page (facebook.com/navysafehabor). For more information about NWW and adaptive athletics, call 855-NAVY WWP (628-9995), email navywoundedwarrior@navy.mil or visit www.navy.mil/local/cni/

For more news from Commander, Navy Installations Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/cni/.