/ Modified sep 29, 2016 4:11 p.m.

Athletes Recall Paralympic Games in Rio

Players gather in Tucson for a celebration at the University of Arizona

paralympian group spotlight Three of the four Rio 2016 Paralympic athletes who gathered at the University of Arizona applaud during the celebration.
Tony Paniagua

While thousands of people gathered for tailgate parties at the University of Arizona on Saturday September 24, others also took the opportunity to congratulate four athletes who recently returned from the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The games for athletes with a range of disabilities were celebrated for the 15th time, following the 31st Summer Olympics.

Four participating athletes with University of Arizona connections:

paralympian bryan portrait Bryan Barten
Tony Paniagua
paralympian dana portrait Dana Mathewson
Tony Paniagua

Bryan Barten is the wheelchair tennis coach at UA's Adaptibe Athletics, and has also competed internationally.

Dana Mathewson obtained her bachelor's degree in speech and hearing sciences, and also plays wheelchair tennis.






paralympian jen portrait Jen Poist
Tony Paniagua
paralympian shirley portrait Shirley Reilly
Tony Paniagua

Jen Poist is a pharmacist who graduated in 2015 and earned a gold medal in wheelchair basketball.

Shirley Reilly is a senior who studies government and public policy, and she took a bronze medal in one of three wheelchair track events.

paralympian with click spotlight Tucson businessman Jim Click congratulates Jen Poist and other Paralympic athletes.
Tony Paniagua

Tucson businessman Jim Click congratulated the athletes and he's urging the public to support the annual "Jim Click's Run 'N' Roll" which raises funds for the University of Arizona's Adaptive Athletic Program.

The event will be held on Sunday October 2nd at the UA Mall, registration begins at 6 AM.

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