Jessica Lewis took a 4 hour flight to Phoenix, Arizona for the Desert Challenge in Mesa, Arizona, along with several other members of her coaches team.
Lewis said, “The Group makes quite a statement traveling together! I enjoy the looks on people’s faces when they see 5 ‘wheelies’ pushing 6 foot long (5 foot long in in my case) track chairs, with wheel bags and duffle bags balanced on top, pushing one behind the other through airports! The wheel bags contain and protect their competition wheels, so that they don’t get damaged in transit. Coach Ken tries to use Air Canada as much as possible as they are used to the athletes and equipment!”
Lewis was making her 3rd trip here for Desert Challenge. The first was in 2010 when Tammalita Astwood from WindReach organized and accompanied a team consisting of Paul Hollis, (amputee swimmer), Lewis & Paul Alves (wheelchair track) with their Coach Gerry Swan, and Sia Castle (Archery) and her Coach Ken Martin.
Lewis did not race at the beginning of the 2011 season due to chronic excruciating back pain as a result of the surgical removal of a skin tag.
However, in 2012 Lewis achieved her A standard for the London Paralympics on this track - so it was a special place for her.
The temperature during the day was close to 100F! however when it came time for Lewis to compete the weather was a bit windy to start but the wind calmed down when the sun set and it was perfect!
Lewis competed in the 200m were she clocked a 35.55, it was a mixed class race with 8 completers all together - 4 T53 and 4 T54 women. Lewis finished 2nd in her T53 class behind Shirley Riley, an amazing young lady from the USA who does everything from 100m to Marathons!
The 100m races were next, with Lewis crossing the line in 19.81, followed by the 400m races with Lewis’ time being 1.08.40.
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