Lorenz

Jessica Lorenz

Paralympian 2008

Athlete Bio#

Hometown

Berkeley

Jessica Lorenz was introduced to goalball in 1993 at a sports education camp that took place at Western Michigan University. In less than 10 years, she has earned a World Championship title and numerous medals in the sport. In 2008, she carried the Olympic Torch as it made its way through San Francisco and won her second consecutive Paralympic Games medal with a gold in Beijing.

Besides her athletic endeavors, Lorenz enjoys a rewarding career as Director of Public Policy for the San Francisco LightHouse for the Blind. She helped bring accessible crossing signals to San Francisco, lead voter registration drives and has worked both locally and on the federal level to pass civil rights legislation.

"When I consider what it is that sustains me, it always comes down to one thing - I try, with varying levels of success, to make a positive difference in my community," says Lorenz, who has been blind since birth.

Along this journey, Lorenz has been supported and inspired by many, including Helen Keller, a lifetime of coaches, professional role models and a series of devoted seeing eye dogs.

Major Achievements:

 
  • 2010: San Francisco Half Marathon, San Francisco, California
  • 2009: San Francisco Half Marathon, San Francisco, California
  • 2009: First place, Visually impaired female division – California International Marathon, Sacramento, California
  • 2008: Gold medal, U.S. Paralympic Women’s Goalball Team – Paralympic Games, Beijing, China
  • 2008: Gold medal, USABA National Goalball Championships
  • 2004: Silver medal, U.S. Paralympic Women’s Goalball Team - Paralympic Games, Athens, Greece
  • 2004: First place, Malmo Ladies InterCup
  • 2003: Bronze medal, USABA National Goalball Championships
  • 2003: First place, Malmo Ladies InterCup
  • 2002: Gold medal, IBSA World Goalball Championships
  • 2002: Third place, Malmo Ladies InterCup
  • 1996: Gold medal, USABA National Goalball Championships
  • 1994: Gold medal, USABA National Goalball Championships
  • 1993: Gold medal, USABA National Goalball Championships

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