Saturday, Aug. 23, 2008

Hanford alumnus headed to Beijing

By Laura Kate Zaichkin, Herald staff writer

Erik Moen wasn't really interested in bicycling until college.

The 1985 Hanford High grad liked soccer and skiing and only considered cycling a way to deliver the newspaper, his parents say.

But now, more than 20 years after helping develop a cycling group during his college days, Moen soon will travel to Beijing to assist the USA cycling Paralympic team.

"It's a really neat opportunity and an honor," the Kenmore physical therapist said. "Who doesn't want to go to the Olympics or Paralympics?"

Moen will help ensure the team's 11 athletes are ready to compete and help them recover from events.

"This sounds silly, but we make sure the athletes eat and drink," he said.

Moen has practiced orthopedic and sports physical therapy for more than 13 years, and opened his Kenmore practice, Corpore Sano, about a year ago. More than half of his clients at the sports and physical therapy practice are cyclists, he says.

"Especially with Paralympians, there's always issues of mobility," he said. "My training as a physical therapist helps for sure."

Moen is a nationally recognized expert in the treatment of bicyclists. He knows the Paralympic coaches and was asked to join them in Beijing, he said.

"The guy knows people in high places around the country," said Richard Moen, Erik's dad, who still lives in Richland with Erik's mother Mary Jo. "His contacts are just endless around the country."

Erik Moen says he's unsure of what to expect since he's never participated in the Paralympics before, but isn't expecting a vacation during the September games.

"It's actually quite a bit of hard work," he said.