Issue Date: 5/12/08
Palomar athlete never let disability get in the way of her sport
By Alejandra Jackson
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Born with a partial left arm, Palomar College Katherine Dever had never heard of the Paralympics until a scout from the U.S. Paralympics team saw her competing at the Aztec Invitational and contacted her coach.
"I'd always knows about the Olympics and the Special Olympics but this is the Paralympics for athletes with physical disabilities," Dever said. "I was never told of it, now I'm really interested."
Dever began exchanging e-mails with the scout and eventually they met in person. She said the scout was very interested in getting her on the team. She said there is a lack of female athletes on the team, especially in her event.
Since talking with the coach for the U.S. Team, Dever, 19, has begun to look at the times for the team's athletes. She said she was impressed with what she saw and is working on getting her times down to prepare for the time trials in June.
However, if it wasn't for the Palomar track team, Dever never would have had the opportunity to participate in the Paralympic games.
Dever was coaching track and field at her old high school when she heard that Palomar was going to bring back its women's track and field team after a 20-year break. She said was excited at the prospect of competing at the college level and to start running again after taking two years off.
Among her accomplishments this season are coming in ninth in women's javelin and recording a time of 30.02 seconds in the 200-meter dash at the Southern California Championships earlier this month.
Track and Field Coach Jennifer Williams, said Dever was one of the best athletes on the team and has a lot of potential that can take her to the next level as an athlete.
"Katie is a joy, and she shows her leadership by always showing up, by always being there, and by always being willing to do anything," Williams said.
Growing up, Dever said she never felt like she was at a disadvantage because of her physical disability. Even when she's jumping hurdles, Dever said she does not feel like her balance is affected. But like most children growing up, her disability was used as a tool for teasing her. Dever said she never let it get to her.
"I just let it roll off my shoulder," Dever said, "because I was in sports and I didn't have time for people who wanted to make fun of me."
Sports have always played a big part in Dever's life. Prior to track and field she played softball for eight years and four years of basketball as well as soccer, water polo, cross country and finally, track and field. One of the biggest differences between high school and college level track and field is the level of competition according to Dever.
After Palomar, Dever, a Business Management major, said in the long run she wants to own her own horse ranch. But for now she is just focusing on the Paralympics and taking that as far as she can. As for sports, she wants them to continue to be an important part of her life.
"I love to run, when I'm not running I feel not whole," Dever said. "If I wasn't in sports I don't know what I'd do."
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