The Starting Blocks

September 11, 2008

2008 PARALYMPIC GAMES: U.S. Wheelchair Rugby Team the New “Redeem Team” in Beijing

BEIJING, China - As documented in the Academy Award nominated film, Murderball, the U.S. Wheelchair Rugby Team was heavily favored heading into the 2004 Paralympic Games, but was upset by Canada in the semifinals and had to settle for bronze. The U.S. regained its international status in 2006, going 17-0 en route to the gold medal at the World Wheelchair Rugby Championships that year and the team is looking to build on that success and return to the top of the podium in Beijing.

“We redeemed ourselves to an extent by winning worlds in 2006,” said Scott Hogsett (Phoenix, Ariz.). “But, we haven’t completely gotten rid of our demons. We won’t be fulfilled until we win gold at the Paralympics.”

A core group of athletes from the Athens team returns to represent the U.S. in 2008. The experience they gained there, as well as at the World Championships, is one thing Team USA will rely on to help recapture the gold.

Those veterans include Hogsett, Mark Zupan (Austin, Texas), Bryan Kirkland (Leeds, Ala.), Norm Lyduch (Austin, Texas), Andy Cohn (Tempe, Ariz.) and Will Groulx (Portland, Ore.). Kirkland and Lyduch are the most senior members of the squad with both having played in the previous two Paralympic Games. Cohn and Groulx each made their Games debut in Athens, but have grown to be great leaders of the U.S. team and are likely to be big contributors here in Beijing.

“We’ve been waiting for this opportunity for four years and we’re ready to prove what happened in Athens was a fluke,” said Kirkland. “We’re not a team that’s arrogant or cocky, but we have a lot of confidence in our abilities. This is the best team I’ve ever played on.”

This isn’t just a team of seasoned veterans. There is much youthful exuberance on its side, as well. Five athletes – Seth McBride (Juneau, Alaska), Jason Regier (Denver, Colo.), Nick Springer (St. Petersburg, Fla./New York, N.Y.), Chance Sumner (Denver, Colo.) and Joel Wilmoth (Hueytown, Ala.) – will be competing in their first Paralympic Games. Wilmoth, at age 19, is the youngest of all team members and with his strength and size is also considered one of the sport’s fastest rising stars.

“We’ve been here for a week training and getting ready to play,” said Wilmoth. “We’re excited and completely prepared for anything anybody throws at us. We’re taking this tournament one game at time, one minute at a time.”

The U.S. begins pool play against host country China at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 12, at the Beijing Science & Technology University Gymnasium.

This article can be found on www.quadrugby.com