The vibrant atmosphere at the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind (CSDB) recently buzzed with excitement as Tayler Moses, a promising athlete born with Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), showcased her skills at the 2025 Goalball National Championships.
Moses, who currently plays for the CSDB goalball team despite attending Fountain-Fort Carson High School, dreams of representing the United States in international competitions.
Her participation in the adult tournament marked a significant milestone as she played for a team called Code Blue, composed of athletes from various states including Utah, Texas, and Florida; notably, she was the only Colorado player on the roster.
“I was really nervous at first. But once I got into the groove, it was really fun,” Moses reflected on her inaugural experience at a national level.
The challenges were evident from the start, as members of Code Blue had to gel quickly, having met for the first time right before the tournament.
Despite her adjustment period, Moses found that competing against men in high school had prepared her well for the speed of the game; however, adapting to her new positioning on the court proved more difficult.
“It was definitely a completely different playing field,” Moses commented, emphasizing the necessity of evolving her gameplay to fit into a central position rather than her accustomed wing line.
The excitement surrounding goalball continues to grow, particularly in Colorado, as the United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) moved its goalball residency program to the United States Olympic and Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs earlier this summer.
The national championships featured 18 teams from around the country competing in the two gyms at CSDB over three invigorating days.
Prominent athletes, including Paralympians Amanda Dennis and Daryl Walker, were present, showcasing the resilience and talent that characterize the sport.
For Dennis, this was her first competition in over a year, following a tough period marked by a torn biceps and the challenges of motherhood.
Born with aniridia, a condition that hampers vision due to the absence of an iris, she turned her initial interests from soccer to goalball after attending a sports camp for the visually impaired.
Her debut came at the tender age of seven, eventually leading to international competitions and multiple Paralympic appearances.
Despite the setbacks in training and competitions, Dennis remains focused on her path towards the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles (LA28).
Meanwhile, Walker, marking the end of a distinguished 25-year career at the very venue where he began, achieved a fairytale finish by guiding his team, the King Cobras, to yet another championship victory.
Competing is nothing new to Walker, who has been involved in goalball since he found the sport during his school days in Florida, where he was born with albinism, affecting his vision.
After years of dedication, Walker’s last championship match culminated in a dramatic, nail-biting overtime win, further solidifying his legacy in the sport.
He reminisced about the supportive crowd and the thrilling atmosphere, comparing it to an NBA game.
The culmination of his career, with heartfelt tributes to mentors and coaches, especially the late Tom Parrigin, demonstrated the emotional journey Walker has experienced throughout his time in goalball.
As the tournament continued, the excitement was palpable for other young players like Stevie Zylstra, another student at CSDB who shares Moses’s condition.
Zylstra’s encounter with the U.S. men’s national team was particularly impactful, demonstrating how the heightened presence of goalball in Colorado inspires a new generation.
The recently established residency program at the Colorado Springs facility offers athletes unprecedented access to specialized training classes and resources, amplifying their chances of success as they aim for the international stage.
Moses, along with others like Zylstra, represents the future of goalball in the United States, illustrated by their enthusiasm and commitment.
As current athletes navigate challenges, the support of veteran players like Dennis and Walker lays the groundwork for continued growth in the sport.
With the move to Colorado Springs expanding opportunities for both experienced athletes and novices, the excitement surrounding goalball is at an all-time high as the nation prepares for upcoming international competitions, including next year’s World Championships in Hangzhou, China.
The legacy of players like Amanda Dennis and Daryl Walker is sure to inspire countless young athletes, paving the way for future achievements as goalball continues to flourish.
image source from：cpr
