RACER BIOS

Racer Bios and a little info

Men’s Handcycle:

Alejandro Albor, of Elk Grove, CA has been racing for 3 years. His best race was the California International Marathon. His most challenging race was SMSUC 2000. He immigrated to the United States from Mexico at the age of 15. After enduring poverty, prejudice, and loneliness for 3 years he attempted suicide by speeding into a moving train. He did not lose his life, he lost his legs. He is married and has 3 children. He is a professional handcyclist, motivational speaker, and handcycle builder, and owner of A-WON Handcycles. Gary Baker of Indianapolis, IN has been racing for 3 years. His best race to date was the 2001 Indianapolis Half Marathon where he won the Masters Division. Gary was injured in a construction accident in 1983. He is single and has no children. He sells medical equipment and ranked second in the world in racquetball from 1992-1995. His current goal is to qualify for the Boston Marathon.

Larry Coutermarsh, of Fairbanks, has completed the SMSUC 15 times! He is an Administrative Assistant, and a proud husband and father. Larry was injured during a motor vehicle accident. Larry placed 3 of 7 in a standard wheelchair in his very first race. John Enrietto, of Fort Wayne, IN has been racing for 2 years. His best race was Dayton, July 2000. John was injured in an automobile accident in 1983. He is an engineer and enjoys the outdoors, and scuba diving. His goals are to maintain in good physical condition, and finish a race with a 17 mph average.

Mark Hufford, of Eagle River, has 3 years of handcycling experience. He is presently a student at UAA and is pursuing a career in the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Mark became paralyzed from the waist down when he fell out of a tree while hunting. Mark is completing an internship at the DVR, and volunteers for Challenge Alaska. Kevin Jackson, of Anchorage, has 3 years of handcycling experience. He placed 6th in the 2001 and 10th in the 2000 SMSUC, Men’s Handcycle Division. Kevin’s racing goal is to be close enough to see the winner cross the finish line by the time he’s 40. He is a Civil Engineer. He is on the Challenge Alaska Board of Directors and volunteers much of his time to the organization. Kevin was injured in a motorcycle accident in 1985 and was left with T10 paraplegia incomplete.

Bogdan Krol, of Orneta, Poland has been racing for 17 years. Bogdan's best races were the 1996 Marathon in London and the New York Marathon in 2001. He was injured in a car accident and is married and has 3 children. Bogdan has decided to compete in the Ultra Challenge because "It differs from all other competitions". He works as a mechanic and his current goal (besides completing the SMSUC) is to compete in the World Championships in Germany. Josh Sharpe of Jackson, MS has been racing for 2 years. Josh is single and is a Claims Representative for the Social Security Administration. He has raced in several marathons and the cycling portion of a few triathalons. Josh is a very active advocate for people with disabilities through his involvement at work and volunteering as part of Methodist Rehab Center's Spirit Team. Josh was injured in a motor vehicle accident in 1994. His current goals are to compete in USHF sanctioned races and improve with each race.

Matthew Updike, of Golden Colorado has been racing for 4 years. His best race to date is the 2002 The Rocky Mountain Handcycle Omnium where he took 4th overall edging out Michel Bond and Greg Hockensmith. Matt is single with no children and is starting his own business. He was injured in a motor vehicle accident. His future goals are to go to the World Championships in Germany this year and to eventually compete in the Paralympics.

Women’s Handcycle:

Alicia Dana, of Putney, Vermont has just begun racing this year. Her best race was practically her first race, The Rocky Mountain Handcycle Omnium where she took first. Alicia is a newly wed and has no children. Alicia was injured at the age of 17 when she fell 50 feet from a tree. She is an artist and enjoys gardening, and playing guitar. She hopes to do illustrations for children's books. Her next goal is to compete in the 2002 Sadler's Midnight Sun Ultra Challenge.

Sherry Ramsey, of Littleton, CO has been Wheelchair Racing for 20 years, and Handcycling for 5 years. Her best race was SMSUC 2000 where she was in close competition with Monica Bascio. Sherry was born with Spina Bifida. She is a teacher. Her goal for the future is to make the 2004 Paralympic Team for handcycling.

Juana Post of Logan, UT - Juana Post, of Logan, UT has been racing for 4 years. A former Alaskan, this will be her 3rd Midnight Sun Ultra Challenge. Her best race was the Las Vegas Marathon. Juana is single and is an advocate for children with disabilities and assistant teacher. At the age of 7 Juana had both of her legs amputated due to a secondary infection. She enjoys traveling overseas, eating International foods, and watching foreign flicks. Her next goal is to participate in Ride the Rockies.

Alejandro Albor, of Elk Grove, CA has been racing for 3 years. His best race was the California International Marathon. His most challenging race was SMSUC 2000. He immigrated to the United States from Mexico at the age of 15. After enduring poverty, prejudice, and loneliness for 3 years he attempted suicide by speeding into a moving train. He did not lose his life, he lost his legs. He is married and has 3 children. He is a professional handcyclist, motivational speaker, and handcycle builder, and owner of A-WON Handcycles.	Gary Baker of Indianapolis, IN has been racing for 3 years. His best race to date was the 2001 Indianapolis Half Marathon where he won the Masters Division. Gary was injured in a construction accident in 1983. He is single and has no children. He sells medical equipment and ranked second in the world in racquetball from 1992-1995. His current goal is to qualify for the Boston Marathon.
Larry Coutermarsh, of Fairbanks, has completed the SMSUC 15 times! He is an Administrative Assistant, and a proud husband and father. Larry was injured during a motor vehicle accident. Larry placed 3 of 7 in a standard wheelchair in his very first race.	John Enrietto, of Fort Wayne, IN has been racing for 2 years. His best race was Dayton, July 2000. John was injured in an automobile accident in 1983. He is an engineer and enjoys the outdoors, and scuba diving. His goals are to maintain in good physical condition, and finish a race with a 17 mph average.
Mark Hufford, of Eagle River, has 3 years of handcycling experience. He is presently a student at UAA and is pursuing a career in the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Mark became paralyzed from the waist down when he fell out of a tree while hunting. Mark is completing an internship at the DVR, and volunteers for Challenge Alaska.	Kevin Jackson, of Anchorage, has 3 years of handcycling experience. He placed 6th in the 2001 and 10th in the 2000 SMSUC, Men’s Handcycle Division. Kevin’s racing goal is to be close enough to see the winner cross the finish line by the time he’s 40. He is a Civil Engineer. He is on the Challenge Alaska Board of Directors and volunteers much of his time to the organization. Kevin was injured in a motorcycle accident in 1985 and was left with T10 paraplegia incomplete.
Bogdan Krol, of Orneta, Poland has been racing for 17 years. Bogdan's best races were the 1996 Marathon in London and the New York Marathon in 2001. He was injured in a car accident and is married and has 3 children. Bogdan has decided to compete in the Ultra Challenge because "It differs from all other competitions". He works as a mechanic and his current goal (besides completing the SMSUC) is to compete in the World Championships in Germany.	Josh Sharpe of Jackson, MS has been racing for 2 years. Josh is single and is a Claims Representative for the Social Security Administration. He has raced in several marathons and the cycling portion of a few triathalons. Josh is a very active advocate for people with disabilities through his involvement at work and volunteering as part of Methodist Rehab Center's Spirit Team. Josh was injured in a motor vehicle accident in 1994. His current goals are to compete in USHF sanctioned races and improve with each race.
Matthew Updike, of Golden Colorado has been racing for 4 years. His best race to date is the 2002 The Rocky Mountain Handcycle Omnium where he took 4th overall edging out Michel Bond and Greg Hockensmith. Matt is single with no children and is starting his own business. He was injured in a motor vehicle accident. His future goals are to go to the World Championships in Germany this year and to eventually compete in the Paralympics.