Each year, the Challenged Athletes Foundation recognizes athletes, supporters, volunteers, partners, and advocates whose achievements and contributions help advance CAF’s mission through the Heroes of Sport Awards.
The 2026 Heroes of Sport Award winners represent excellence across sport, advocacy, volunteerism, philanthropy, and partnership. From Paralympic and world-class athletes to grassroots advocates creating greater access to sport and longtime supporters of CAF’s mission, each recipient has made a meaningful impact in their sport, community, or the lives of others.
Together, the 2026 honorees demonstrate Power in Motion and the many ways people can help create opportunities for individuals with physical disabilities through sport.
CAF’s highest annual honor recognizes individuals whose extraordinary contributions have advanced CAF’s mission and created a lasting legacy of impact.
For more than two decades, the Roth family has played an important role in advancing CAF’s mission across multiple generations. Their involvement began with Duane Roth’s participation in the Million Dollar Challenge and grew to include his brother Byron and, today, the next generation of the Roth family.
Their impact spans fundraising, events, leadership, and community engagement. CAF has been part of the Roth Conference for 14 years, and the family’s involvement has included the Roth Ride, Million Dollar Challenge, Celebration of Heart, and RX3 charity events. Over 17 years, the Roth family has raised and donated more than $2.3 million in support of CAF athletes with physical disabilities.
From Byron and Ted Roth to Kristin Roth DeClark and the next generation of family members now creating their own fundraising opportunities, the Roth family’s longstanding commitment continues to make a meaningful impact throughout the CAF community.
The Exceptional Male Athletic Performance Award recognizes an athlete who, through perseverance and exceptional athletic conditioning, has achieved extraordinary levels of success in sport.
A returning recipient of the Exceptional Male Athletic Award, Mohamed Lahna reached another career milestone in 2026, becoming the first person with one leg to complete a triathlon across America.
From competing at the Paralympic Games to taking on some of endurance sport’s most demanding events,
Mohamed continues to pursue ambitious athletic goals. His 2026 accomplishment adds another achievement to an already accomplished career and earns him this recognition for the second consecutive year.
The Exceptional Female Athletic Performance Award recognizes an athlete who, through perseverance and exceptional athletic conditioning, has achieved extraordinary levels of success in sport. This year, CAF recognizes two recipients of the Exceptional Female Athletic Performance Award.
One of the world’s most accomplished wheelchair racers, Susannah Scaroni delivered an exceptional 2025 season, earning victories at the Boston, Sydney, Chicago, and New York City Marathons. She also finished second at the Tokyo Marathon in 1:36:28, a time that broke the previous course record.
Her results across five major international marathons reflect remarkable consistency and athletic excellence, adding to an already decorated career in wheelchair racing.
San Diego native and CAF grant recipient Kate Delson made her Paralympic debut at Milano Cortina 2026, winning gold in women’s banked slalom and silver in snowboard cross.
Born missing most of the muscles in her right leg, Kate began skiing at age three before transitioning to snowboarding, a sport already loved by her family. She quickly found snowboarding was a better fit and developed a passion for it.
Kate’s two medals at Milano Cortina capped a breakthrough season and established her among the top competitors in Para snowboarding. Kate also finished the 2025–26 season as the overall World Cup champion, earning Crystal Globes in banked slalom, snowboard cross, and the overall standings.
The Unstoppable Award recognizes an athlete who has overcome obstacles to achieve new heights in sport and sports mentorship.
Michelle Pinard has become an important part of the CAF community through years of participation in CAF cycling events, including three Million Dollar Challenges.
Living with Cerebellar Ataxia, Michelle continues to pursue an active life through sport while building meaningful friendships, encouraging fellow athletes and supporters, and strengthening the community around her.
Her determination, positivity, and commitment to staying active have made a lasting impact throughout CAF and reflect the spirit of the Unstoppable Award.
Endurance athletes and advocates Nicole Ver Kuilen and Kyle Stepp are each receiving the Trailblazer Award for their leadership of So Every BODY Can Move, a nationwide movement working to expand access to prosthetic and orthotic care for physical activity.
As athletes with limb loss, Nicole and Kyle bring their personal experiences to their advocacy, mobilizing grassroots advocates and championing state-by-state legislative change to expand insurance coverage for prosthetic and orthotic care needed for physical activity.
Through its 28×28 initiative, So Every BODY Can Move is working to enact legislation in 28 states by the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics, building momentum toward federal, nationwide reform. Nicole and Kyle’s leadership is helping create greater access to physical activity for people with limb loss and limb difference. Sam Day Rising Star Award
The Sam Day Rising Star Award recognizes a young athlete whose passion, determination, and enthusiasm embody the future of adaptive sport.
At 9 years old, Beauden Baumkirchner is already pursuing a wide range of sports. From playing baseball and racing his jet ski to discovering surfing at the Switchfoot Bro-Am, Beauden brings energy and enthusiasm to every new opportunity.
His love of sport and willingness to try new activities have also brought his story to a national audience, including a recent America Strong feature on World News Tonight and an upcoming Olympic-related commercial campaign.
As Beauden continues to explore new sports and pursue new goals, his commitment to staying active and trying what comes next embodies the spirit of the Sam Day Rising Star Award.
The Volunteer of the Year award honors an individual whose dedication and service have made a meaningful impact on CAF and the athletes it serves.
Dennis Pinn is a consistent and valued presence at CAF, always willing to step in and help wherever needed. Whether taking on highly visible responsibilities or the behind-the-scenes tasks that keep events and programs running smoothly, Dennis approaches everything he does with care and attention to detail.
His reliability, positive presence, and willingness to serve have made him an invaluable source of support for CAF and the athletes and community we serve.
The Partner of the Year award recognizes a partner whose commitment has created meaningful opportunities for individuals with physical disabilities and strengthened the CAF community.
For 10 years, the Switchfoot Bro-Am Foundation has partnered with CAF to create opportunities for youth athletes with physical disabilities through sport.
As a longtime supporter of CAF’s Grant Program, BRO-AM has helped provide youth athletes throughout San Diego and Southern California with access to adaptive sports equipment, training, and opportunities to pursue active lifestyles. The partnership has also created a meaningful connection through surfing, giving CAF athletes opportunities to develop their skills and compete at the annual Switchfoot BRO-AM.
Over the years, athletes have discovered new passions and reached new milestones through the partnership, from Liv Stone catching her first wave at BRO-AM before becoming a three-time Para Surf World Champion to young athletes like Beauden continuing that tradition today.
As CAF and BRO-AM celebrate 10 years of partnership in 2026, the Switchfoot BRO-AM Foundation’s continued commitment to youth, access, and sport makes it a fitting recipient of CAF’s Partner of the Year Award.
Celebrating the Power in Motion
The 2026 Heroes of Sport Award winners demonstrate the many ways people move CAF’s mission forward, from athletic achievement and advocacy to volunteerism, philanthropy, and partnership.
Together, their contributions create more opportunities for people with physical disabilities to pursue active lives through sport. That is Power in Motion.
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