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Men’s Sitting Volleyball Team Prepares for Final Opportunity to Qualify for the Paralympic Games
By Katrina Shaklee
// USOC Media Services
// August 12, 2007
RIO DE JANEIRO – The U.S. Men’s Sitting Volleyball Team returns to the Parapan American Games to defend its gold medal title from the 2003 Games in Mar del Plata, Argentina. It was there the U.S. won a berth to the 2004 Paralympic Games and eventually finished sixth in the 2004 competition, their highest finish ever at the Paralympic Games. The U.S. returns four veterans from the 2004 team: team captain Brent Rasmussen (Omaha, Neb.), Eric Duda (Edmond, Okla.), Curtis Lease (Naperville, Ill.) and Chris Seilkop (Deland, Fla.).
A ninth-place finish at the 2006 Sitting Volleyball World Championships was not enough to advance the team to the 2008 Paralympic Games. Now, the Parapan Am Games are the final opportunity for the U.S. to qualify for the 2008 Paralympic Games. The U.S. must win the gold in order to head to Beijing next year.
The team arrived in Rio de Janeiro on Friday and began practices at the Rio Centre Saturday, August 11. They practiced in the morning and afternoon and then finished the day with a scrimmage against Costa Rica.
“We are trying to get focused at this point,” U.S. Head Coach Bill Hamiter (Bethany, Okla.) said. “Today I want the guys to get mentally ready. Once they are mentally prepared, the physical part will be much easier.”
Besides Costa Rica, teams from Canada and Brazil will also be represented. Although the Canadians have competed in standing volleyball, this is their first international competition in sitting volleyball. The U.S. defeated Brazil at the 2006 World Championships; however, Hamiter indicated that “both teams have improved.”
In addition to the four returning players, Hamiter commented he expects great play from Jose Zabala (Carolina, Puerto Rico), Matt Johnson (Omaha, Neb.), Edgar LaForest (San Juan, Puerto Rico) and Brad Johnson (Pompano Beach, Fla.).
The U.S. will scrimmage again on Monday, Aug. 13 against Canada. They will then begin competition on Wednesday, Aug. 15 at 11:00 a.m. (local time) versus Canada. Pool play will take place Wednesday, Thursday and Friday with all teams playing each other. The teams will then be seeded according to records for the semi-final games. The complete roster and schedule is listed below.
2007 U.S. Men’s Sitting Volleyball Parapan Am Games Roster
No. Name Position Current Residence
1 Matt Johnson L Lincoln, Neb.
3 Curtis Lease MH Naperville, Ill.
4 Hugo Storer OH Houston, Tex.
5 Eric Duda OH/MH Edmond, Okla.
7 Bradley Johnson MH Pompano Beach, Fla.
8 James Stuck O/MH Edmond, Okla.
9 Roderick Green OH/MH Edmond, Okla.
10 Edgar LaForest OH San Juan, Puerto Rico
12 Brent Rasmussen OH Omaha, Neb.
13 Josh Franklin OH Tomball, Tex.
14 Jose Zabala S/H Carolina, Puerto Rico
15 Chris Seilkop S/H Deland, Fla.
Head Coach: Bill Hamiter (Bethany, Okla.)
Assistant Coach/Team Leader: Dixie Collins (Marshall, Virg.)
Assistant Coach: Edgar Miraku (Edmond, Okla.)
U.S. Men’s Sitting Volleyball Parapan Am Games Schedule (all times local)
Time; Event; Athlete (Hometown); Venue
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
11:00; MEN’S SITTING VOLLEYBALL: Team USA vs. Canada; Riocentro Convention Center Pavilion 3B
Thursday, August 16, 2007
9:00; SITTING VOLLEYBALL: Team USA vs. Costa Rica; Riocentro Convention Center Pavilion 3B
Friday, August 17, 2007
11:00; SITTING VOLLEYBALL: Team USA vs. Brazil; Riocentro Convention Center Pavilion 3B
Saturday, August 18, 2007
9:00; SITTING VOLLEYBALL: Semi-Final: First vs. Fourth; Riocentro Convention Center Pavilion 3B
11:00; SITTING VOLLEYBALL: Semi-Final: Second vs. Third; Riocentro Convention Center Pavilion 3B
Sunday, August 19, 2007
9:00; SITTING VOLLEYBALL: Bronze Medal Game; Riocentro Convention Center Pavilion 3B
11:00; SITTING VOLLEYBALL: Gold Medal Game; Riocentro Convention Center, Pavilion 3B
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