Local athlete will compete in DAAA Games in NYC
Hazlet athlete Noah Tripolitis will compete in soccer and basketball and play in the golf tournament at the Dwarf Athletic Association of America (DAAA) National Games to be held in Brooklyn, N.Y., July 5 through 8.

Noah Tripolitis, who plays for the Hazlet United Soccer Association, will compete in several sports at the Dwarf Athletic Association of America National Games July 5-8 in New York.

More than 250 dwarf athletes are expected to participate in track and field, soccer, volleyball, swimming, basketball, bocce and golf competitions.

Noah has been playing soccer for the HazletUnited Soccer Association since he was 4 years old and currently attends Middle Road Elementary School. He is competing for the first time at the DAAA National Games.

The soccer competition is being held July 5 at Icahn Stadium on Randall's Island, and the basketball competition will be held July 7 at Polytechnic Institute of NYU.

DAAA does much more than provide the opportunity for dwarf athletes to develop and test their athletic skills.

"The DAAA National Games offer a level playing field on which each athlete can reach their true potential," said Amy Andrews, president of the DAAA. "The National Games instills a profound sense of accomplishment and rewards our athletes for their determination and skill."

Founded in 1985, the Dwarf Athletic Association of America is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide quality amateur athletic opportunities for persons with dwarfism. Whether the participants play on the novice or elite level, the DAAA is committed to providing the athletes with a showcase to demonstrate their prowess in a variety of sports, the opportunity to experience the thrill of competition, and a chance to meet fellow athletes with dwarfism from across the nation.

For more information on the DAAA National Games or the Dwarf Athletic Association of America, contact Mike Cekanor, DAAA board vice president, at daaa.mike.cekanor@gmail.com.