Shavon Lockhardt, US Goalball Athlete

Graduate photo of Shavon taken in 2009 for her class yearbook

The United States will send a seasoned group of goalball athletes to Lima, Peru, to compete at the 2019 Parapan American Games in August and among them will be our NYISE 2009 graduate Shavon Lockhardt.

In her high school yearbook, a teacher remembers Shavon's knowledge of geography. Now she can put that knowledge to use as she travels to Peru and next year to compete in the Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 with the U.S. women’s goalball team.

In her class yearbook, her English teacher wrote this poem about her:

Her poetry is open.

It’s honest, warm and true.

And, like Shavon’s strong spirit,

Speaks directly out to you.

-- Mrs. Ludwig

She was one of five that made up the inaugural 2017 class of female resident athletes training full-time at the U.S. Goalball Center of Excellence in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Her bio at the United States Association of Blind Athletes website reads as follows:

Introduced to the sport in high school, Shavon Lockhardt has been playing goalball for four years. “Goalball serves as a teacher for me. Not only do I enjoy playing, but it teaches me how to stay focused and not overthink.”

Born with macular degeneration, Shavon attended the New York Institute for the Blind near her hometown of Brooklyn from a young age. It is her former coach, Devin Bullock, and teammates Darryl Austen and Jahron Black she credits for helping her develop into the athlete and person she is today. “I give credit to my former coach, Devin, for reaching out and giving me the opportunity to play,” she said. “Major credit goes to Darryl and Jahron for working with me countless times on and off the court.”

Shavon aspires to travel the world playing the sport she loves at the highest level possible. Immediately, she wants to perfect her spin thrown and bounce ball on the court.

Outside of goalball, Shavon likes to make music. She looks up to her mother. “To me, [my mother] is the definition of strength.”

Shavon in 2009 at her graduation in her golden yellow gown and cap

Classification: B2
Height: 5’7”
Birthdate: February 27, 1990
Hometown: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Current Residence: Fort Wayne, Ind.
High School: The New York Institute for the Blind ‘09
College: Kings Borough Community College
Motto: “Live and let live.”
Favorite cheat food: Good Chinese food

Career Highlights:
2016 USABA Goalball National Champions – 1st

Connect with Shavon on Twitter: @shaytaylorx3