Lisa Czechowski (née Banta,[1] born May 29, 1979,[2] in New Jersey) is an American goalball player.

Lisa Czechowski
Personal information
Birth nameLisa Banta
BornMay 29, 1979 (1979-05-29) (age 45)
New Jersey, U.S.
SpouseJacob Czechowski
Medal record
Representing  United States
Women's paralympic athletics
Paralympic Games
Silver medal – second place 2000 Sydney Discus F12
Women's goalball
Paralympic Games
Gold medal – first place 2008 Beijing Team
Silver medal – second place 2020 Tokyo Team
Silver medal – second place 2004 Athens Team
Bronze medal – third place 2016 Rio de Janeiro Team
Parapan American Games
Gold medal – first place 2011 Guadalajara Team
Silver medal – second place 2015 Toronto Team
Silver medal – second place 2019 Lima Team

Her Paralympic debut won her a silver medal for discus at the 2000 Sydney Paralympic Games; she also competed in goalball at those games. In December 2001 she took part in the torch relay for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

Czechowski and teammate Asya Miller competed in their sixth Paralympics together at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games.[3] Together they have won four Paralympic medals, including gold at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games.[4]

Early life

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Born with nystagmus to the family of David and Barbara Banta, and diagnosed with cone dystrophy while in middle school, both conditions affecting her vision.[1] In high school, she tried various track and field events, eventually moving to shot put and discus. She first became involved with goalball in 1995.[1]

Career

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Czechowski played Little League baseball until she was nine, the only blind competitor during her high school days. she won medals as a senior at the Northern Hills Conference and Morris County Championships.[5]

In 2000, She won the NCAA Division III Middle Atlantic States Collegiate Athletic Conference spring discus title where she set a conference record of 126 feet, 7 inches.[6]

Personal life

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She is married to Jacob Czechowski (USA women's coach) and has a son Jay Czechowski born July 2, 2014.[7]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Meet the Athletes: Lisa Czechowski". Medal Quest: American athletes and the Paralympic Games. PBS. Archived from the original on September 29, 2013. Retrieved September 25, 2013.
  2. ^ "Lisa Czechowski". London2012.com. London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Archived from the original on September 10, 2012.
  3. ^ "Meet the 2020 U.S. Goalball Teams". Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  4. ^ "Paralympic team bio". Archived from the original on January 1, 2009. Retrieved September 24, 2008.
  5. ^ Havsy, Jane (August 16, 2021). "Tokyo 2020: Lisa Banta of Boonton ready for sixth Paralympics". Daily Record. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  6. ^ Havsy, Jane. "Ready for the Paralympics? Here's a complete list of Paralympians with New Jersey ties". Daily Record. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  7. ^ "Team USA Bio". Archived from the original on December 29, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
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