Augusto "Goose" Perez

Hometown:  East Syracuse, NY

Birthdate: November 9, 1972

Position: Skip

In October of 2005, Augusto “Goose” Perez tried wheelchair curling for the first time as a participant of the Sitrin STARS program. Just seven weeks later, he was trying out for the U.S. Paralympic Wheelchair Curling Team. Perez said he would have been happy just to be selected as an alternate for the squad, but he ultimately made the team outright and went on to see a fair amount of time in shooting second for the U.S. in Torino. “I guess I picked up the sport faster than anybody expected,” said Perez. He now has the opportunity torepresent the United Statesfor a second time when he takes to the ice at the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver.

Born in Madrid, Spain, Perez came to the U.S. in 1991 for his senior year of high school. He ended up staying when he was offered a scholarship from Paul Smith’s College in upstate New York. He received his bachelor’s degree from Le Moyne College (Syracuse, N.Y.) in Spanish with a minor in education.

Perez has had three bouts with a rare form of cancer, which have resulted in a hip disarticulation amputation of the left leg. Off the ice, he enjoys target shooting, soccer, table tennis, tennis, and competes in adaptive outrigger canoeing as well as adaptive sailing. He volunteers as both a Spanish tutor for high school and middle school students. He works with persons with developmental disabilities, and volunteers with children who have disablities. He also helps with cancer fundraisers.

In 2009, Perez was both an athlete ambassador for The Hartford’s Paralympic Athlete Program and for the USOC’s “Team for Tomorrow Humanitarian Relief Fund.” Most recently he has become an athlete ambassador for the USADA “I Compete Clean” campaign.

Perez and his wife Brenda are proud parents of five year-old twins (a daughter Ainoa and a son Iker).

James Pierce

Hometown:  North Syracuse, NY

Birthdate: February 17, 1963

Position: Vice Skip

James Pierce was reluctant to get started in the sport of wheelchair curling, but once he got involved, he was hooked. “At first I wasn't that interested,” Pierce said, “but after learning more about the game and how it is played, I became very interested. I look at it as playing chess on ice. You always have to anticipate your opponent's next move."  Now, Pierce will compete in his second Paralympic Winter Games when he hits the ice in Vancouver in 2010.

The sport itself, however, hasn’t been the biggest part of what makes his experience so enjoyable. “The thing that I enjoy most is all of the friendly people involved with the sport and the great sportsmanship that surrounds the game.”

Off the ice, Pierce enjoys playing wheelchair basketball, football, and soccer.

James "Jimmy Jam" Joseph

Hometown:  New Hartford, NY

Birthdate:  September 1, 1962

Position: Second

James Joseph has been competing in wheelchair curling for just six years. When he takes to the ice in Vancouver, he’ll be competing in his second Paralympic Winter Games. 

Joseph was introduced to the sport in 2004, and it’s been hard to get him off the ice ever since. “I love this sport,” Joseph said. “I’m never giving it up.” He said his favorite part of the game is taking big shots in pressure situations, and adds that he loves the intensity of the situation.

Joseph was injured in 1987, when he was pinned between two vehicles, ultimately costing him both of his legs. Joseph’s nickname is ‘Jimmy Jam.’ He said he got the name because, “I jam at everything I do.” Joseph added, “I’m very energetic, and I put my heart, soul and energy into everything I do. My friends gave me the nickname, and it kind of stuck.” He has incorporated his nickname into his seasonal business, Jimmy Jam Snowplowing.  

Joseph also enjoys wheelchair basketball, golf, road racing, and working out.

Jacqueline Kapinowski

Hometown:  Point Pleasant, NJ

Birthdate:  November 28, 1962

Position: Lead

Jacqui Kapinowski never thought her love of road racing would lead her to the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver.  In 2007, Kapinowski was competing in a race in Utica, N.Y. where she met national curling team member and Sitrin STARS athlete James Joseph who introduced her to the sport of curling.

She became a member of the Plainfield (N.J.) Curling Club shortly thereafter. Kapinowski and Team USA won a bronze medal at the 2008 World Wheelchair Championship in Sursee, Switzerland.

Off the ice, Kapinowski remains dedicated to wheelchair racing.  She has completed 52 marathons and has crossed the finish line a few different ways – running, with a walker, and in a push-rim wheelchair. Kapinowski hopes to make Team USA for track & field for the 2012 Paralympic Games in London.

Kapinowski and her husband, Harry, have two sons - Lorin Michael, who serves in the Coast Guard, and Billy who graduated from Lynn University, Boca Raton, FL, in 2009.

Patrick McDonald

Hometown: Orangevale, CA

Birthdate:  June 9, 1967

Position: Alternate

Patrick McDonald has only been involved with the sport of wheelchair curling for two years.  He says that being nominated to the 2010 U.S. Paralympic Team and having the opportunity to compete in Vancouver are the highlights of his young career.

McDonald is a veteran of the U.S. Army, who lost the use of his legs when the armored personnel carrier he was riding in rolled on the way back from patrol in Korea.  He is very active in adaptive sports, playing golf, bowling, and kayaking, in addition to wheelchair curling.

McDonald isn’t limiting his Paralympic Games aspirations to just one sport. He says his goal is to win a medal at both the summer and winter games.  As an avid hunter growing up, coupled with target shooting in the military, McDonald is going to take his skill and knowledge of shooting and try to make the 2012 U.S. Paralympic Team in the sport of shooting.

McDonald and his wife, Carrie, have two children – a daughter, Andie, and a son, Kaelan.