I think it would be great to get more Sailors to help. The athletes really look forward to knowing they are going to be paired up with a buddy from the academy. We have had a working relationship with the Naval Academy for more than 35 years.

On Saturday we expect well over 100 athletes.

Being at the academy is a lot of fun for the athletes, but this competition is also an important one for them. This is their regional event, their opportunity to get qualified to compete at state level. Many of them get nervous. The Naval Academy personnel take a lot of the apprehension away, especially when the volunteers get in the water or on the field and participate in the event with the athlete. The athletes really enjoy that.

This isn't just about helping athletes prevent blisters. We can help diabetics if we can figure out where they need specific materials in their socks. Then, we find out where diabetics have skin trauma and target those areas.

You can compare Aliquippa athletes to anyone in Quad-A. I think the athletes in AA are as good as anyone. They just have more numbers in Quad-A.

It's a whole different ballgame now. We are not in disarray. Our athletes are stepping up and they're absolutely going to do their job.