Three USA Umpires and One Umpire Manager Appointed to 2025 Junior Pan American Games
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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USA Field Hockey is excited to share that three umpires and one umpire manager have been selected to represent USA at the upcoming 2025 Junior Pan American Games, set to take place August 10 to 19 in Asuncion, Paraguay.
Erika Barbera, Katelyn Makovec, and Brian Tyson have been appointed as umpires and Saleem Aaron as an umpire manager.
Barbera is headed to Paraguay after umpiring the Pan American Challenge back-to-back in 2024 and 2025. Barbera also made her NCAA officiating start last fall, and has been involved in a multitude of USA Field Hockey events, including officiating the championship games at the 2024 U-19 National Club Championship and 2024 U-18 Nexus Championship.
I am extremely blessed and excited to represent USA at the Junior Pan American Games this August. I’m so thankful for the people that have believed in and supported me on this journey. I can’t wait to grow as an official and make more memories of a lifetime in Paraguay!
This will be the first international tournament for Makovec, who has officiated two U.S. Women’s National Team series in Charlotte, N.C. (2023, 2025) and is a veteran of both USA Field Hockey events and college circuit. She has been appointed to three consecutive NCAA Division I Championship umpire teams.
I am honored and excited to represent USA at the Junior Pan American Games. I am looking forward to this opportunity to learn, grow, and work with the umpires and officials in attendance.
Tyson, who will be umpiring the USWNT series against New Zealand this weekend, will join Barbera and Makovec in Paraguay this August. Last year, he officiated at the 2024 Junior Pan American Championship (JPAC) in Surrey, Canada and at the 2024 Indoor Pan American Cup. Tyson has been an official and video umpire on several test matches in Charlotte, N.C. and has heavy involvement officiating for the NCAA, where he was appointed to the NCAA Division III Championship umpire team the past two seasons.
I am thrilled for the opportunity to represent USA Field Hockey at the Junior Pan American Games in Paraguay. The tournament will be my first time to South America, and I look forward to experiencing another culture within the PAHF community. I am thankful for all of the support received from family and USA Field Hockey throughout this umpiring journey.
After umpiring several international events, including the 2014 Central American & Caribbean (CAC) Games and 2015 Pan American Games, Aaron has taken on the role of umpire manager. This summer, he was appointed as an umpire manager at the test series between the USWNT and Ireland in Charlotte, N.C.
As an umpire I have been fortunate to work so many PAHF and FIH events. The only PAHF event that I have never attended is the Junior Pan American Games. It’s a fitting start to my international umpire management journey. I’ve recently completed the PAHF umpire manager course and had my first domestic appointment when the USWNT faced Ireland in Charlotte, N.C. My goal from the start is to help every umpire I interface with be the best version of themselves and simultaneously do my part to improve the overall standard of the game.
“Brian, Erika, Katelyn and Saleem are part of the next generation of umpires and umpire managers coming out of the USA,” commented Sean Rapaport, USA Field Hockey's Director of Officials. "The Junior Pan American Games present a fantastic opportunity for them to experience hockey in a different setting and to further develop their growing skill sets while contributing to the success of the event. We wish them every success and a truly memorable and enjoyable time in Paraguay.”
Erika Barbera
Umpire
Katelyn Makovec
Umpire
Brian Tyson
Umpire
Saleem Aaron
Umpire Manager
