Each year, the San Diego Triathlon Challenge fueled by Toyota brings together athletes, supporters, volunteers, and partners for a weekend centered on sport, community, and connection. Throughout this year’s event, another important part of CAF’s mission was also on display: providing athletes with physical disabilities access to the equipment and resources they need to pursue the sports they love. 

During SDTC, athletes received grants made possible by CAF supporters, corporate partners, and dedicated endowments. From adaptive sports equipment and performance resources to travel and sport expenses, each grant was designed around an athlete’s individual goals and needs. 

Raelle 

Grant Award: $2,500 Sport Expense Grant 

Six-year-old Raelle was born with a limb deficiency and has explored different sports through CAF. In 2025, she participated in an adaptive swim clinic, followed by an adaptive surf clinic in 2026. 

During SDTC weekend, Raelle received a $2,500 Sport Expense Grant presented at the Team Coastline and ColRich Dinner. The grant will help support her continued participation in sport as she discovers new activities and opportunities to stay active. 

At her age, there is plenty still to explore. This grant gives Raelle and her family additional resources to continue finding the sports and experiences she enjoys as she grows. 

Ricky Pamblanco 

Grant Award: $2,500 toward a Rogue Bike and Rogue Rower 

Known as “Roadside Ricky,” Ricky Pamblanco spent his career servicing tires for commercial trucks. In 2025, while working along a Kentucky highway, he was struck by a truck, resulting in the loss of his right leg above the knee. 

Following his injury, Ricky connected with longtime CAF community member and former Programs Manager John Mabry, who lives nearby and began mentoring him before he was discharged from rehabilitation. John encouraged Ricky to attend the San Diego Triathlon Challenge, introducing him to the CAF community and new possibilities for getting active again. 

During the Chairman’s Dinner, Ricky received a $2,500 grant toward a Rogue Bike and Rogue Rower for his home. The equipment will give him additional ways to build strength and endurance as he continues spending more time on his prosthesis and returning to activities like running and CrossFit. 

Ricky is already looking ahead to another goal: returning to the 2027 San Diego Triathlon Challenge fueled by Toyota as a participant. 

Beauden  

Grant Award: Top End Youth Handcycle (Robin Williams Endowment Grant) 

Presented during Opening Ceremonies by Zak Williams, son of the late Robin Williams, nine-year-old Beauden received a Top End Youth Handcycle through the Robin Williams Endowment Fund at CAF. 

Beauden is no stranger to CAF or to trying new sports. He has participated in adaptive sports clinics at the San Diego Triathlon Challenge each year since 2023 and enjoys activities ranging from baseball and biking to golf, soccer, surfing, and more. 

CAF has supported Beauden at different points along the way, including an Össur grant, a previous handcycle grant, and discretionary sports grants to support his participation in sport. 

His new handcycle gives Beauden another resource to continue being active, building his skills, and exploring the many sports and activities he enjoys. 

Toyota Grant Recipients 

As a longtime CAF partner, Toyota helps athletes with physical disabilities access the equipment and resources needed to train, compete, and pursue their athletic goals. During SDTC weekend, Toyota grants were awarded to three athletes pursuing opportunities in competitive para sport. 

Emily Sweeney 

Grant Award: Sport Expense Grant 

Emily Sweeney began her athletic journey racing in her everyday wheelchair before discovering paratriathlon through a Dare2Tri camp. Since then, she has earned multiple USA Triathlon Development Series victories and podium finishes at national championship events. She is now working toward competing at World Triathlon races and pursuing a place on Team USA for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.  

Her Toyota Sport Expense Grant will help offset travel and competition costs as she continues developing as a paratriathlete and working toward her competitive goals. 

Miguel Jimenez-Vergara 

Grant Award: Racing Chair 

Miguel first entered adaptive sports after receiving a racing chair that gave him the opportunity to compete. He went on to break high school track and field records and establish himself as a competitive adaptive endurance athlete. Today, he trains at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center and is working toward his goal of competing at LA28. 

After years of training and racing, Miguel needed updated equipment. Through Toyota’s support, he received a new racing chair to support his training and competition at an elite level. 

Jacob Allen 

Grant Award: Racing Chair 

Jacob Allen discovered wheelchair racing as a teenager and quickly developed a passion for competition. Since then, he has raced distances ranging from the 100 meters to the marathon, including appearances at the U.S. Paralympic Trials. In 2026, he relocated to Chula Vista to pursue full-time training alongside other elite athletes.  

Jacob’s new racing chair will provide updated equipment to support his training and competition as he works toward his goal of representing Team USA at the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games. 

KD Hill 

Grant Award: $2,500 Sport Expense Grant 

Presented on the Tour de Cove stage, KD Hill received a $2,500 Sport Expense Grant to support his continued participation in sport. 

A standout defensive tackle at Ole Miss, KD was pursuing opportunities to play professional football when a trucking accident in 2023 resulted in a right below-knee amputation. Since then, he has continued pursuing athletic goals while also building a career as a motivational speaker, author, and advocate. 

KD’s mindset is captured in a phrase he often shares: “Try me, not why me.” 

CAF previously supported KD through the Össur Grant Program, providing a sports prosthesis to support his active lifestyle. His new Sport Expense Grant from EōS Fitness provides additional resources as he continues pursuing his athletic goals and exploring what comes next in sport. 

Kyle Stepp 

Grant Award: Lakeshore Foundation Sports Science & Performance Center Residency Scholarship 

Presented by Lakeshore Foundation, Kyle Stepp received an all-expenses-paid residency scholarship at the Lakeshore Foundation Sports Science & Performance Center in Birmingham, Alabama. 

An elite paratriathlete from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Kyle has competed nationally and internationally while continuing to pursue his goals in the sport. 

Through the residency, Kyle will receive comprehensive performance testing and individualized support from experts in sports science, strength and conditioning, nutrition, and mental performance. The experience will include sport-specific assessments and performance analysis, followed by six months of personalized programming and virtual coaching to help him apply what he learns to his ongoing training. 

By combining performance science with individualized guidance, the residency will give Kyle additional tools and insights to support his continued development as a paratriathlete. 

More Than a Grant 

The grants presented throughout SDTC reflected the range of needs athletes may encounter at different points in their sports journeys. For one athlete, that might mean a handcycle or racing chair. For another, it may be help with travel and competition expenses or access to specialized performance resources. 

What each grant has in common is that it responds to an athlete’s individual goals. 

These grants were made possible by the donors, partners, and endowments that help CAF expand access to sport for athletes with physical disabilities. During SDTC, the CAF community had the opportunity to celebrate the athletes receiving that support and the goals they are working toward. 

The equipment and funding presented during the weekend will now go to work where they matter most: helping athletes train, compete, explore new opportunities, and continue pursuing the sports they love.