Mar. 29—Austin junior Aidan Falcon took himself out of his comfort zone four years ago, and he's been smiling ever since.
Falcon, who uses a wheelchair for most daily activities, was shooting a basketball one day, and he started to develop a passion. However, he wasn't sure where he could go to pursue his love of basketball.
"It's just kind of getting out there and doing it," said Falcon of his decision to try basketball. "Some people don't want to do it, but I just tell them to just take a shot. What's the worst that can happen?"
Four years ago, Falcon got his start at ExcercisAbility in Rochester, where he was able to play recreational basketball with players aging from 12 years old to 80 years old. Last spring, Falcon discovered a wheelchair basketball league in the Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute in Golden Valley, Minnesota and he's gone all in with his new team, the Minnesota Jr. Timberwolves, who are seeded No. 13 in the upcoming National Wheelchair Basketball Association Tournament, which will take place in Richmond, Virginia this April.
"This last year, we went quite far (with basketball). I went from just playing on this Rec team in Rochester, to playing all over," Falcon said. "There are some teams that are hard to play, and we'll probably see them again in nationals. One of the hardest parts for me is being new to the team and trying to find my place where I can support the team. It's chaotic at times, especially when things get close, but you've just got to keep it together."
The rules of wheelchair basketball are very similar to traditional basketball. Players cannot extend their feet out of their chair to gain position and they must dribble once for every two wheel pushes, which makes it difficult to maneuver against the defense.
Falcon has learned that it's OK to fall out of his wheelchair while hustling for a loose ball, and he's also learned what it's like to compete with all of his energy.
"Dribbling down an open court is easy, but dribbling around people is not easy," Falcon said. "I don't handle the ball too much, but when I do, I try not to travel. When I play in Rochester, that's more of a mentorship thing. Those guys played in college back in the 80s and they've played for a long time. In the Cities, I make a lot of friends and now I know a lot of people who play."
Falcon has attended wheelchair basketball camps at Southwest State Minnesota University in Marshall and the University of Whitewater in Wisconsin. Both schools have wheelchair basketball teams and Falcon is hoping he gets the chance to play in college.
Falcon hasn't told too many of his classmates about his basketball adventure, but many of his teachers at AHS know about it and those around him have seen him change for the better since he started playing.
"I just started playing and it got more fun as it got more competitive. It's fun getting to know my teammates and my coaches. Everyone is very supportive," Falcon said. "It's a very welcoming, yet competitive environment. It's fun to show people what I can do, from a different standpoint."
Falcon hasn't stopped at wheelchair basketball. He's now set to join the Austin track and field team, where he'll be able to race, throw shot put and discus. He's acquired a racing chair and he'll be ready to start learning with the team very soon.
"It's going to be a fun experience, but it'll be a lot of learning for me and the coaches as far as how we're going to do it," he said.
Falcon is hoping to inspire other students to give adaptive sports a try as it has changed the way he looks at everything.
Falcon was born ...
