Bryan Kirkland, a mainstay on the U.S. Paralympics Wheelchair Rugby Team, will be one of 24 athletes trying to make the 2008 U.S. Paralympic Team this weekend in Birmingham.

Twenty-four athletes have been invited to the selection camp. Among the invitees are eight members of the 2004 U.S. Paralympic Team, one teenager and the first female athlete ever to try out for the U.S. national team. 

Paralympians Andy Cohn (Tempe, Ariz.), Sam Gloor (San Diego, Calif.), Will Groulx (Portland, Ore.), Scott Hogsett (Phoenix, Ariz.), Bryan Kirkland (Leeds, Ala.), Bob Lujano (Hoover, Ala.), Norm Lyduch (Austin, Texas) and Mark Zupan (Austin, Texas) all return to try to punch their ticket to Beijing. At age 18, Joel Wilmoth (Hueytown, Ala.) could be the youngest athlete ever named to the U.S. Paralympic Wheelchair Rugby Team, and Kerri Morgan (St. Louis, Mo.) is aiming to be the first woman to represent the United States in the sport of wheelchair rugby at the Paralympic Games.

“Trying out for the U.S. team is always an intense experience,” said U.S. head coach James Gumbert (Austin, Tex.). “But this selection will be unlike anything our athletes or staff have ever experienced. Our talent pool in the United States is deeper than it’s ever been and the competition we will face in Beijing will be the best this sport has ever seen. We have to be prepared to field the best U.S. wheelchair rugby team in our history.”

Training sessions will be held on Friday, December 14 from 2:00-5:00 p.m. and 6:00-9:00 p.m. On Saturday, Dec. 15, the team will train from 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and 3:00-6:30 p.m. All training sessions are open to the public. 

The 2008 U.S. Paralympic Wheelchair Rugby Team will be announced at 11:15 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 16. The announcement is also open to the public.

The U.S. captured the bronze medal at the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece, and has since returned to the top spot in the world rankings following a gold medal performance at the 2006 World Wheelchair Rugby Championships.

Players and coaches will be available to media at the conclusion of each training session on Friday and Saturday and following the announcement of the U.S. team on Sunday. All media inquires and requests can be sent to Susan Katz, Communications Coordinator at (205) 313-7434, (205) 381-0600 (cell), or susank@lakeshore.org.

2008 U.S. Paralympic Wheelchair Ruby Team Selection Camp Participants

*Andy Cohn (Tempe, Ariz.)
Chad Cohn (Tucson, Ariz.)
Eddie Crouch (Smyrna, Tenn.)
Mike DeYoung (Chatsworth, Calif.)
Nick Fonner (Homewood, Ill.)
*Sam Gloor (San Diego, Calif.)
*Will Groulx (Portland, Ore.)
Derrick Helton (Tucson, Ariz.)
*Scott Hogsett (Phoenix, Ariz.)
Steve Kearly (Houston, Texas)
*Bryan Kirkland (Leeds, Ala.)
*Bob Lujano (Hoover, Ala.)
*Norm Lyduch (Austin, Texas)
Seth McBride (Juneau, Alaska)
Kerri Morgan (St. Louis, Mo.)
Steve Pate (Kalispell, Mont.)
Jason Regier (Denver, Colo.)
Adam Scaturro (Golden, Colo.)
Nick Springer (St. Petersburg, Fla./New York, N.Y.)
Chance Sumner (Denver, Colo.)
Zachary Tapec (Sumner, Wash.)
Joel Wilmoth (Hueytown, Ala.)
Max Woodbury (Portland, Ore.)
*Mark Zupan (Austin, Texas)

*Denotes 2004 U.S. Paralympic Team member

About Lakeshore Foundation, an official 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 http://www.lakeshore.org/.