Four days after starting the 2008 Paralympics with a sixth-place finish in the T54 100-meter wheelchair final, Tatyana McFadden regrouped to earn a pair of silver medals Sept. 14. The two second-place efforts, which came in the T54 200 and 800 events, gave her a total of three silver medals over the course of the week. On Sept. 12, she placed second in the 400 with a personal-best time of 53.49 seconds.

"My mental strategy was that I knew I didn't have a good 100 the other night, so I had to let that go," said McFadden in a press release issued by the U.S. Olympic Committee. "I told myself that this (400) is my race and I was really focused."

McFadden was just as focused later in the week when she set personal best times in the 200 and 800, crossing the finish line in 28.43 seconds and 1:46.95, respectively.

In the three races which McFadden placed second, Canada's Chantal Petitclerc ended up winning gold. The two have the same coach, Peter Eriksson.

McFadden ended her Paralympic experience with a bronze medal in the T53/54 4x100 relay. Australia (1:01.91) took the silver, barely edging the U.S. team (1:02.16); China won gold with a world-record time of 57.61.

Habifest 5k ready to run this weekend

The ninth annual Habifest 5k Run/Walk will be held Saturday, Sept. 20 starting at 8 a.m. near Copeland's Restaurant in downtown Columbia. The race will offer $1,000 in cash prizes. Habifest is Habitat for Humanity of Howard County's largest fundraiser of the year, and proceeds will help fund construction for two single-family houses in Howard County.

New to this year's race is a silent auction, including items signed by Cal Ripken Jr., random giveaways and an aluminum can collection to benefit the Cans for Habitat program. There will be children's activities, music and fun for the whole family.

Go to www.howardhabitat.org or call 410-997-4949.

Orioles' Mora to collect baseball equipment

Here's another opportunity to help those who are less fortunate. Baltimore Orioles third baseman Melvin Mora will be at Reservoir High School Thursday, Sept. 25 from 5 to 7 p.m. to collect baseball equipment for underprivileged kids in his native Venezuela. In exchange, Melvin will autograph an item brought by the donor.

Equipment accepted ranges from baseball hats and clothing to baseball bags and equipment. I intend to donate a glove of mine.

So check your closets and garages for equipment that you may no longer have any use for or maybe some new stuff that you want to donate. See you at Reservoir.

Wilde Lake senior to play in international competition

Trey Cole, a senior at Wilde Lake High School and a member of the boys basketball team, has been selected to participate with the USA Athletics International basketball team June 13-22 in Germany. USAAI is a nonprofit dedicated to giving amateur athletes the opportunity to participate in international competition. Trey is looking for sponsors to help make his trip possible. Call 410-740-2438, if you are interested in helping.

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