By Kyle LoJacono
Valerie Baker has been competing with Hillsborough County’s Paralympic Sport Tampa Bay program since 2004, but she has never performed the way she did at this year’s National Junior Disability Championships.
The New Tampa resident and Wharton High graduate won 11 gold medals at nationals, held last month at Saginaw Valley State University in Michigan. Baker has competed at the event six times, but said this was her best performance by far.
“I thought I would do well, but I wasn’t expecting 11,” said Baker. “I was thinking I could win some and do well in some of the events, but not that many. It just kind of happened, and it’s an awesome feeling.”
Baker competes in the S5 division, which separates participants by their level of handicap. The higher the number, the more impaired an athlete is.
Baker, 19, won seven medals in swimming, three in track and another in table tennis. She set new national records for her division in the shot put, discus toss and club throw.
“I’m just in the moment before an event,” Baker said. “I just let everything that’s going to happen happen because that’s all you can do. You practice all the time, and you just hope it’s enough to win.”
Baker said she swims four to five hours a week and practices another two hours in the field events.
Andy Chasanoff, sports coordinator for Paralympic Sport Tampa Bay, was happy to see all of Baker’s hard work pay off.
“She did a tremendous job,” Chasanoff said. “I see all the work she puts in to get better and it was really special to see her do what she did.
“She’s very consistent,” Chasanoff continued. “She works hard in everything she does. No matter what the outcome is, she’s always positive.”
Baker first learned of the program from her massage therapist.
“They thought it would help me with movement, but they also knew it could be something I would be good at,” Baker said. “I started off with swimming and coach Chasanoff got me into field events and table tennis. It would let me have more to do and make more friends. I love competing so much, so it was perfect.”
Baker has a muscle deformation that causes problems with her joints. She uses a wheelchair to stabilize herself while doing field events, but can walk on her own.
“Competing has made me stronger and I can do a whole lot more than I could before I started sports,” Baker said. “I can walk farther distances and I can push myself more.”
Baker will attend Florida Gulf Coast University this fall. She is undecided on her major, but thinks it might be psychology with a minor in music.
“I was in my high school marching band,” Baker said. “I started playing in 2003, and I love it. I’m a percussionist.”
Paralympic Sport Tampa Bay, which was formed nine years ago and is part of the Hillsborough parks department, brought home 40 gold, 20 silver and six bronze medals while setting 10 national records at nationals. The organization was awarded first place in the medium team division, for squads with five to eight members.
“We had five athletes and it was a tremendous event,” Chasanoff said. “For some it was the first time they’ve spent any time away from home competing. I think the team itself was like family. They all cheered for each other and were real happy with each other’s success.”
Baker encourages others to learn more about Paralympic Sport Tampa Bay.
“It’s a great organization and I encourage all physically disabled teens and kids to take part in it,” Baker said. “You should come out and see what it’s all about because it really is amazing.”
For more information on Paralympic Sport Tampa Bay, call (813) 744-5307.
Valerie Baker’s gold medals performances
50-meter freestyle, 2:01.19
100-meter freestyle, 4:09.49
200-meter freestyle, 8:01.16
50-meter backstroke, 2:04
100-meter backstroke, 4:13:65
50-meter breaststroke, 2:01.81
100-meter breaststroke, 4:13.65
Shot put, 1.73 meters*
Discus toss, 3.58 meters*
Club throw, 7.95 meters*
Table tennis, division champ
*National records
