Quad Rugby/Story -

UNITED STATES QUAD RUGBY ASSOCIATION

December 16, 2007

Eleven Athletes Nominated to 2008 U.S. Paralympic Wheelchair Rugby Team
Six athletes return from 2004 Paralympic Bronze Medal Team

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.-Eleven athletes have been nominated to the 2008 U.S. Paralympic Wheelchair Rugby Team. The team was announced following a weekend tryout camp held at Lakeshore Foundation, an official U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Site. This team will represent the United States at the Paralympic Games in Beijing, China next September.

Six athletes return from the 2004 U.S. Paralympic Team that won a bronze medal in Athens, Greece. Those athletes are Andy Cohn (Tempe, Ariz.), Will Groulx (Portland, Ore.), Scott Hogsett (Phoenix, Ariz.), Bryan Kirkland (Leeds, Ala.), Norm Lyduch (Austin, Tex.) and Mark Zupan (Austin, Tex.). The remaining five athletes are first-time U.S. Paralympians. At age 18, Joel Wilmoth (Hueytown, Ala.) is the youngest athlete ever named to the U.S. Paralympic Wheelchair Rugby Team. Joining him are Seth McBride (Juneau, Alaska), Jason Regier (Denver, Colo.), Nick Springer (St. Petersburg, Fla./New York, NY) and Chance Sumner (Denver, Colo.).

“All these athletes have sacrificed so much to be here and this was a very emotional selection,” said U.S. head coach James Gumbert (Austin, Texas). “We feel we’ve selected the team that is going to win the gold medal in Beijing and we’ve got a lot of hard work ahead of us to make that happen.”

The U.S. is currently the top-ranked wheelchair rugby team in the world. Throughout the next year, the team will hold monthly training camps at Lakeshore Foundation in preparation for the competition in Beijing.

All media inquires and requests can be sent to Susan Katz, Communications Coordinator at (205) 313-7434 or susank@lakeshore.org.

2008 U.S. Paralympic Wheelchair Rugby Team
*Andy Cohn (Tempe, Ariz.)
*Will Groulx (Portland, Ore.)
*Scott Hogsett (Phoenix, Ariz.)
*Bryan Kirkland (Leeds, Ala.)
*Norm Lyduch (Austin, Tex.)
Seth McBride (Juneau, Alaska)
Jason Regier (Denver, Colo.)
Nick Springer (St. Petersburg, Fla./New York, NY)
Chance Sumner (Denver, Colo.)
Joel Wilmoth (Hueytown, Ala).
*Mark Zupan (Austin, Tex.)

Alternates:
Eddie Crouch (Smyrna, Tenn.)
Derrick Helton (Tucson, Ariz.)
Steve Pate (Kalispell, Mont.)
Max Woodbury (Portland, Ore.)

*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 www.lakeshore.org

Susan Katz
Communications Coordinator
Lakeshore Foundation
(205) 313-7434
susank@lakeshore.org

Hit Counter

How to Contact us | Quad Rugby Central Index