Quad Rugby/Story - 2002 Team USA Selections Announced

For Immediate Release

High Performance Training Program announces travel team for Wheelchair Rugby World Championships

In September of 2001 the United States Quad Rugby Association began a new High Performance Training Program (HPTP) for its top wheelchair rugby athletes.

The purpose of the program is to work with a select group of players over an extended period of time so that the United States can remain dominant in international competition. A commitment of personal time and the dedication to a serious training routine is required from each participant in the program.

Since this programs start, numerous training camps and one international competition have taken place. In January the United States competed against seven of the worlds best National teams at the World Rugby Challenge in Warm Springs, Georgia. The US split into two squads, the Stripes and the Stars, and went on to finish the tournament in first and second place respectively. Every member of the High Performance Training Program received quality-playing time during the tournament, which in itself is invaluable. Kevin Orr, Head Coach for the US stated that he was pleased with the weeks overall results, but emphasized that much work needed to be done before World Championships in May.

To further preparations for World Championships, HPTP members were reunited at the end of February in San Antonio, Texas. While this training camp was similar to previous camps in many ways, most athletes were nervous. At the end of the camp twelve athletes were announced as the group that would get to represent the USA at World Championships in Sweden. The staff of the USQRA’s High Performance Training Program would like to thank each athlete in this program for making it such a success, and congratulate those people named below on their achievements.

2002 USA NATIONAL WHEELCHAIR RUGBY TEAM
Name Eddie Crouch Rob Krows Norm Lyduch Steve Kearley Andy Cohn Sam Gloor Bryan Kirkland Bob Lujano Dean Maccabe Mike Gilliland Mark Zupan Steve Pate	Class 0.5 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.0 3.5	Hometown Nashville, Tennessee Moore, Oklahoma Austin, Texas Houston, Texas Phoenix, Arizona San Diego, California Moody, Alabama Birmingham, Alabama Santa Ana, California Phoenix, Arizona Austin, Texas Goleta, California
Alternates – Joby Falk 1.0, Rob Boothby 1.5, Lynn Nelson 3.0
*Staff* Head Coach - Kevin Orr Assistant Coaches - James Gumbert and Ed Suhr Sports Operations Manager - Wendy Gumbert Team Nurse – Jane Thomas Team Trainer – Nancy Lehrer Team Trainer – Kelly Butler Equipment Manager – Marty Frierson Team Leader – John Bishop

History of Team USA Rugby
Year 1995 1996 1998 2000	Event IWRF World Championships – Notwil, Switzerland Paralympic Games – Atlanta, Georgia IWRF World Championships – Toronto, Canada Paralympic Games – Sydney, Australia	Results Gold Medal Gold Medal Gold Medal Gold Medal

If you have questions, or would like more information about the High Performance Training Program please contact John Bishop at (561) 707-9686, or by email at jbishop@quadrugby.com