December 12, 2007 

2008 U.S. Paralympic Wheelchair Rugby Team Selection Camp This Weekend at Lakeshore Foundation

Up to Twelve Athletes Will Be Selected to Represent U.S. at 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, China

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.-The 2008 U.S. Paralympic Wheelchair Rugby Team selection camp will be held at the Lakeshore Foundation, an official U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Site, December 14-16, 2007.  Two full days of tryout sessions will be held on Friday and Saturday and on Sunday, up to 12 athletes will be named to the 2008 U.S. Paralympic Wheelchair Rugby Team.  This team will represent the United States at the Paralympic Games in Beijing, China next September.

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 tryout 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, Tex.) and Mark Zupan (Austin, Tex.) 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 PM - 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM.  On Saturday, December 15 the team will train from 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM - 6:30 PM.  All training sessions are open to the public. 

The 2008 U.S. Paralympic Wheelchair Rugby Team will be announced at 11:15 AM on Sunday, December 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 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, Tex.
*Bryan Kirkland Leeds, Ala.
*Bob Lujano             Hoover, Ala.
*Norm Lyduch            Austin, Tex.
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, NY
Chance Sumner   Denver, Colo.
Zachary Tapec           Sumner, Wash.
Joel Wilmoth            Hueytown, Ala.
Max Woodbury    Portland, Ore.
*Mark Zupan             Austin, Tex.

*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