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Mary Hodge Coaches USA at ‘08 Paralympics in Beijing!

2008 Paralympics in Beijing, the White House and Wounded Warrior Camp:
Mary C. Hodge Represents the Best of the USA and ucpn!

The past couple of months have truly been a whirlwind for Mary C. Hodge, the Manager of the ucpn Community-Based Day Habilitation Program and Head Coach of the Nassau Thunderbolts Sports Team.  Mary was selected to be the Head Coach/Team Leader Team USA in Powerlifting for the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing.  Mary left New York for China at the end of August.  When asked to sum up the experience, Mary comments with great enthusiasm, “There is just no experience like representing your country and wearing the red, white and blue.  There are no words to describe the feeling of running through the tunnel into the stadium in Beijing and hearing the roar of over 400,000 cheering fans.  It is just tremendous as you join with the best of the best for the competition.”

Mary has participated in the three previous Paralympics, something that did not go unnoticed by her 2008 team members, Mary Stack and Andy Wise.  Both of these athletes noticed that Mary seemed very calm and collected, and Mary agreed, saying that with her previous experience and a prior trip to Beijing, she knew what was expected and could fully concentrate on what the team needed to do to win.  And winning is what it is all about at this level – athletes are here to represent the USA and have the hope of gold, silver or bronze.

For Andy Wise, a 25 year old from Needham, MA in the 67.50kg weight class, this was his first Paralympics experience and while he was feeling the excitement, he also felt confident that he could focus.  As his coach, Mary Hodge was proud of him, “Even though Andy had some severe tendonitis he kept his composure during the competition and did not allow himself to feel any intimidation.”  In the end, Andy did not medal but will likely be in the running for the 2012 games.  Andy was humbled by the experience, “it’s overwhelming to see the best Paralympic athletes in the world and to know I am among them is unfathomable.”

Mary Stack, 34 from Ann Arbor, MI completed in the 75 kg weight class.  Stack holds multiple records in her weight class for the bench press.  In December 2007, she broke the American IPC Powerlifting record by 5.5kg with a lift of 110kg.  In Beijing, Stack faltered in her first attempt at 110kg.   She went on to miss her second attempt and with her third and final attempt she pushed through and locked out.  However, the judges did not accept the lift and she was disqualified.  “She trained hard and did her best,” said Coach Hodge.  “I’ve never seen someone miss the first and second attempts and drive home the third like she did.  I am proud of her.”

Ceremony at the White House

The group was honored to be invited to a ceremony at the White House in October at which they gathered with other coaches and athletes from the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics and met with President Bush. The day after the White House visit, Mary Hodge was on a plane to Tampa, Florida to the Wounded Warriors Summit taking place there.  As en elite coach, Mary was invited to participate in this vital gathering to provide a program in strength and conditioning for injured soldiers.

On October 27th, Mary Hodge and the Nassau Thunderbolts Sports Team celebrated their 20th anniversary at a ceremony held in the auditorium at ucpn.  More on this celebration in the next issue of Center Square.