|
Nineteen Athletes Named to 2007 U.S. Paralympics Wheelchair Rugby National Team
By Susan Katz
// Lakeshore Foundation
// January 7, 2007
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Nineteen athletes have been named to the 2007 U.S. Paralympics Wheelchair Rugby National Team following a weekend-long selection camp held at the Lakeshore Foundation U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Site in Birmingham, Ala. The roster includes all 12 athletes that won a gold medal at the 2006 World Wheelchair Rugby Championships, as well as seven new players.
The seven new athletes selected to the team include Paralympians Sam Gloor (San Diego, Calif.) and Eddie Crouch (Smyrna, Tenn.). Athletes selected to their first-ever U.S. national team include Chad Cohn (Tucson, Ariz.), Zachary Tapec (Sumner, Wash.), and Joel Wilmoth (Hueytown, Ala.). Also joining the U.S. team for 2007 are Nick Fonner (Homewood, Ill.) and Steve Kearley (Spring, Texas).
Those athletes returning from the 2006 world championship team include Jason Regier (Denver, Colo.), Nick Springer (St. Petersburg, Fla./New York, N.Y.), Seth McBride (Juneau, Alaska), Chance Sumner (Denver, Colo.), and Justin Patterson (Salinas, Calif.), as well as Paralympians Norm Lyduch (Austin, Texas), Scott Hogsett (Phoenix, Ariz.), Will Groulx (Portland, Ore.), Bryan Kirkland (Leeds, Ala.), Andy Cohn (Tempe, Ariz.), Mark Zupan (Austin, Texas), and Steve Pate (Kalispell, Mont.).
"I was impressed with the energy, effort, and heart I saw from all of these guys this weekend," said U.S. Head Coach James Gumbert (Austin, Texas).
"Selecting a national team is never an easy decision, but now we have an incredible group of 19 guys who we are going to work with throughout the year. In 2007 we'll be setting the foundation for achieving our ultimate goal of winning the gold medal at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, China."
Media inquires and requests can be sent to Susan Katz, Communications Coordinator at (205) 313-7434, (205) 381-0600 (cell), or susank@lakeshore.org.
2007 U.S. Paralympics Wheelchair Rugby National Team
*Andy Cohn (Tempe, Ariz.)
Chad Cohn (Tucson, Ariz.)
Eddie Crouch (Smyrna, Tenn.)
Nick Fonner (Homewood, Ill.)
Sam Gloor (San Diego, Calif.)
*Will Groulx (Portland, Ore.)
*Scott Hogsett (Phoenix, Ariz.)
Steve Kearly (Spring, Texas)
*Bryan Kirkland (Leeds, Ala.)
*Norm Lyduch (Austin, Texas)
*Seth McBride (Juneau, Alaska)
*Steve Pate (Kalispell, Mont.)
*Justin Patterson (Salinas, Calif.)
*Jason Regier (Denver, Colo.)
*Nick Springer (St. Petersburg, Fla./New York, N.Y.)
*Chance Sumner (Denver, Colo.)
Zachary Tapec (Sumner, Wash.)
Joel Wilmoth (Hueytown, Ala.)
*Mark Zupan (Austin, Texas)
*These athletes were members of the 2006 U.S. Paralympics Wheelchair Rugby National Team that won a gold medal at the World Wheelchair Rugby Championships.
About Lakeshore Foundation U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Site
Lakeshore Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with physical disabilities through fitness, recreation, and athletics. These programs help children and adults with physical disabilities maintain healthy and active lifestyles, as well as develop stronger self-esteem and improve independent living skills. The United States Olympic Committee designated Lakeshore Foundation an official U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Site in 2003. Along with the nation's three Olympic Training Centers, Lakeshore Foundation plays a critical role in the success of U.S. athletes. For more information, visit www.lakeshore.org.
|
