UNITED STATES QUAD RUGBY ASSOCIATION

May 2006

Final 12-man Roster Selected for 2006 U.S. Paralympics Wheelchair Rugby Team
Team to Compete at 2006 Wheelchair Rugby World Championships this September
by Susan Katz

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.—The final 2006 U.S. Paralympics Wheelchair Rugby Team has been selected. The 12 players that have been chosen for this team will represent the United States at the 2006 Wheelchair Rugby World Championships this September in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Leading the team is a core group of veterans that includes 8 Paralympic and World Championship medalists. Three of the athletes, Bryan Kirkland (Leeds, AL), Norm Lyduch (Austin, TX), and Steve Pate (Kalispell, MT) were members of the gold medal winning wheelchair rugby team at the 2000 Paralympic Games in Sydney, Australia. Kirkland and Lyduch returned to the Paralympic team in 2004 and along with Scott Hogsett (Phoenix, AZ), Bob Lujano (Hoover, AL), Andy Cohn (Phoenix, AZ), Will Groulx (Portland, OR), and Mark Zupan (Austin, TX) helped lead the U.S. to a bronze medal at the Games in Athens, Greece. As well, seven of these athletes were members of the silver medal winning 2002 World Championship team.

This team also includes 4 athletes, Jason Regier (Denver, CO), Seth McBride (Juneau, AK), Justin Patterson (Salinas, CA), and Chance Sumner (Colorado Springs, CO), who have been selected to their first ever World Championship team.

“The athletes chosen for this team represent the finest the United States has to offer. We are excited about the opportunity to represent our country later this year in New Zealand, and we’ll be training as hard as we can to make everyone proud. The pursuit of perfection has begun,” said head coach James Gumbert.

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 Olympic Training Centers, Lakeshore Foundation plays a critical role in the success of U.S. athletes.  For more information, visit www.lakeshore.org. 

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