Air Academy sophomore Abby Farrell won two national championships in two weekends over spring break; a feat unimaginable to most. On March 19th, Farrell competed in, and won, the NASTAR national championships for Grand Slalom mono skiing in Snowmass, Colorado. Then, just one weekend later, she traveled to Texas to compete in the National Basketball Wheelchair Championship with her team, the Denver Rolling Nuggets. Farrell also competes for Air Academy High School on the track team. Abby Farrell’s competition classification is a T-54, which means she doesn’t have much function in her legs, but she has full function in her arms, back, and stomach muscles. Farrell got interested in sports by “watching high level athletes compete in the Paralympics.” She thinks that by watching idols such as Tatyana McFadden, Christina Schwab, and Jennifer Chew, who compete in wheelchair basketball, “it inspired [her] to want to try those sports.” Farrell has been skiing for seven years, been playing basketball for seven years, and doing track for a year and a half.

During spring break, Farrell competed in two national championships; one was for mono-skiing, the other, wheelchair basketball. On March 19^th, in the NASTAR national championships in Snowmass, Farrell won the national title in the Grand Slalom with a time of 35.20 seconds. This was her first national championship in the discipline and “was extremely happy with the result.” However, Farrell didn’t stop there, the very next weekend she traveled to Texas with her team to compete in the National Women’s Division Wheelchair Basketball Championship. In the finals, they faced the University of Arizona, the reigning champions, and emerged victorious 55-31. She has been playing basketball for three years; she competes on a junior team ages, 13-18, while playing on the adult women’s team.

When asked what sports meant to her, Farrell responded that, “The biggest part of sports for me is the people I’m with. I have had the opportunity to meet so many people from around the country. And the people on my basketball team are some of my best friends and I wouldn’t trade them for the world. Not only that, but I have met so many amazing mentors that have always pushed me to do my best. I have some of the best coaches in the world who have helped me succeed.” The great experiences Farrell learned over the break will only add to the success she’s already had.

If you see Abby in the halls be sure to congratulate her on the extreme success she’s been having, but also on the inspiring attitude she carries every day. Her positive outlook and assiduous determination have lead and will continue to lead, her to the highest levels. Watch out for her on the track, as she is sure to dominate there this spring as well.