USA selects wheelchair rugby team for Tokyo
BIRMINGHAM, Ala., USA — Following a week-long training camp at the Lakeshore Foundation Olympic and Paralympic Training Site the United States of America Wheelchair Rugby squad for the postponed 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo this summer.
12 players have been selected for the Paralympic Games along with four alternates should any of the 12 need to drop out for whatever reason. The squad contains a strong mix of experience, led by Chuck Aoki, and some youthful exuberance.
“We believe that we have put together a great balance of functional athletes that will give us a chance to compete for the gold medal,” said U.S. Paralympic Wheelchair Rugby head coach James Gumbert. “This team is one of the most driven and focused I have ever worked with, and their desire to finish what they started is inspiring. During the past year, many of us have experienced so many hardships and setbacks, but these elite athletes have stayed on point and continued to push each other to be the best they can be.”
It’s been a 14 month selection period for the team following the postponement of the Games from last year. This selection is now only the beginning as there will be two more camps back at Lakeshore on June 10–21 and August 7–17 before the team leaves for Tokyo in late August.
2020 U.S. Paralympic Wheelchair Rugby team
Chuck Aoki, Minneapolis
Jeff Butler, Austin, Texas
Chad Cohn, Tucson, Arizona
Joe Delagrave, Holmen, Wisconsin
Lee Fredette, East Moriches, New York
Ray Hennagir, Deptford, New Jersey
Joe Jackson, Maricopa, Arizona
Chuck Melton, Richview, Illinois
Eric Newby, Nashville, Illinois
Kory Puderbaugh, Boise, Idaho
Adam Scaturro, Lakewood, Colorado
Josh Wheeler, Tucson, Arizona
Team alternates
Ernie Chun, Phoenix
Jake Daily, Belleville, Illinois
Liz Dunn, Pittsburgh
Montrerius Hucherson, Tallassee
