A Celebration of Paralympians at Oregon Adaptive Sports
As we count down to Milano Cortina 2026, we are celebrating the Paralympians who are part of the Oregon Adaptive Sports community.
Two OAS athletes who began their journeys on snow with Oregon Adaptive Sports, Ravi Drugan and Anna Soens, are preparing to compete at the upcoming Paralympic Winter Games. Their journeys began with first turns at Oregon Adaptive Sports and have grown into careers on the world stage. But they are not alone: they are part of a broader legacy of Paralympians who train, mentor, volunteer, and show up within our community across generations and sports.
From Alpine skiing to Nordic skiing, from swimming to cycling, the OAS community includes Paralympians whose impact extends far beyond a single Games. They are founders, ambassadors, instructors, and mentors who continue to build access, connection, and opportunity within adaptive sport.
Carl Burnett | Alpine Skiing
Paralympian: 2002, 2006, 2010
Events: Slalom, Downhill, Super G., Giant Slalom, Alpine Combined
Carl Burnett is a three-time Paralympian and veteran of the U.S. Adaptive Skiing Team. He competed in Salt Lake City, Torino, and Vancouver, with a top finish of fifth place in the downhill at the 2006 Games.
Across his career, Carl competed at the highest levels of international alpine racing, consistently finishing among the top athletes in the field.
Reflecting on his Paralympic experience, Carl shared:
“Competing at the Paralympics can be stressful. There are a lot of demands on you as an athlete, and a lot of pressure to perform. The flip side of that is that it’s the time when all your friends and family turn out to see what all those months and years of preparation have led to. When you are done with your competitions, you have time to reflect on how much strength you’ve gained from them, and if you’re lucky, from a community like OAS that supported you along the way.”
Today, Carl continues to shape the OAS community as an Ambassador and Winter Instructor, sharing his experience on snow and supporting athletes at every stage of their journey.
Erin Martin | Nordic Skiing
Paralympian: 2022, 2026
Events: 7.5 km sprint, 1 km sprint, 12.5 km sprint
Erin Martin competes in Para Nordic skiing and represented Team USA at the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing. She is preparing to compete again at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.
Erin describes competition as both personal and powerful:
“I love the constant pursuit of progress that comes with competition. It is also a chance to challenge my own and others’ perceptions about what I can accomplish with my disability.”
Colleen Dougherty | Swimming
Paralympian: 1996
Events: 150m Medley, 50 m Butterfly, 50 m Backstroke, 50 m Breaststroke
Colleen represented Team USA in swimming at the 1996 Paralympic Games in Atlanta, reaching two finals in international competition. During her competitive career, she also held the U.S. record in the 50-meter backstroke for three years within her division.
She reflects on that time:
“Representing the US at the Worlds and Paralympics was a very proud time in my life and an experience I will never forget!”
Beyond her athletic career, Colleen is one of the founders of Oregon Adaptive Sports. She later served on the OAS Board of Directors and is recognized in the OAS Hall of Fame for her leadership and lasting impact on the organization. Her contributions extend far beyond competition, helping shape the foundation of the community that continues to support athletes today.
Dennis Connors | Cycling
Paralympian: 2024 – Silver Medalist!
Events: Road Race, Time Trial
Dennis Connors represented Team USA in cycling at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, earning a silver medal. Beyond the Paralympic stage, he has competed at the highest levels of international paracycling, including multiple World Championship and World Cup podium finishes.
Reflecting on what the Paralympics represent, Dennis shared:
“Competing in the Paralympics shows I’m not succeeding despite my disability, but with the skills and creativity that my disability helped develop. My disability has taught me to find innovative solutions and approaches that make me not just a better athlete, but a better problem-solver in life. There’s so much to be proud of in the unique strengths our community brings to the world.”
Dennis continues to contribute to the OAS community as an Ambassador, bringing his experience and perspective to athletes and the OAS community.
Nancy Stevens | Nordic Skiing
Paralympian: 1998
Events: 5 km classic, 5 km free, 15 km classic
Nancy Stevens represented Team USA in cross-country skiing at the 1998 Paralympic Winter Games in Nagano, competing in multiple distance events.
Nancy shares:
“My goal is to let people, families, individuals with disability know that you can do it. You can get out, you can enjoy the outdoors, you can compete, no matter what your disability is.”
Through her advocacy and visibility in sport, Nancy continues to reflect the spirit of access, opportunity, and outdoor participation that defines the OAS community.
The Paralympians within the Oregon Adaptive Sports community represent decades of competition, leadership, and connection. Across sports and generations, they continue to shape the culture of OAS as founders, ambassadors, instructors, mentors, and community members. As we look toward Milano Cortina 2026, we celebrate not only those preparing to compete but the legacy that continues to grow within this community.
Heading to Milano Cortina 2026
Anna Soens | Alpine Skiing
Paralympian: 2026
Events: Slalom, Giant Slalom, Super G, Downhill, Alpine Combined
Anna Soens is preparing to compete in her first Paralympic Winter Games at Milano Cortina 2026. Since August, she has been racing consistently in FIS competitions as she worked to qualify for the Paralympics, diving headfirst into her first full season of international alpine racing.
In her debut season on the international circuit, Anna has already earned four gold and four silver medals in 2026 FIS competition. Her commitment to training and racing at the highest level reflects her determination, work ethic, and willingness to take on a new challenge at full speed.
Anna shares:
“Ski racing has been a way for me to explore my passion for skiing in a new way and in new landscapes. I am forever grateful for the support and empowerment OAS has shown me not just while I’ve dabbled in ski racing but throughout my life with disability.”
Beyond competition, Anna serves as an Ambassador of Stoke, bringing her experience and leadership back to the mountain and supporting athletes at every level. As she prepares for her first Paralympic start gate, she represents the next chapter of athletes stepping onto the world stage.
Ravi Drugan | Alpine Skiing
Paralympian: 2022, 2026
Events: Super Combined, Slalom, Super G, Giant Slalom
Ravi Drugan first competed at the Paralympic Winter Games in 2022, racing in slalom, super-G, and giant slalom. Since then, he has continued to compete at the highest levels of international alpine skiing, earning top-ten finishes at the World Championships, including eighth place in downhill and alpine combined.
Beyond traditional alpine racing, Ravi has also competed in mono ski-cross at the X Games, earning a Bronze medal in 2015.
Ravi shares:
“Ever since my first OAS lesson in 2009, skiing has become the biggest part of my life. It’s what I think about every day, before going to bed, and to me, a day isn’t complete without skiing.”
In addition to his international competition, Ravi serves as an Ambassador with Oregon Adaptive Sports, bringing his experience and perspective back to the mountain. As he prepares to compete again at Milano Cortina 2026, he carries both his competitive experience and his deep connection to the sport onto the Paralympic stage.
