Minnesota Junior Rolling
Timberwolves
by Pat Goodwin
The Minnesota Junior Rolling Timberwolves, a wheelchair basketball
team sponsored by Courage Center, has qualified to play at the 2005
National Varsity Wheelchair Basketball Tournament in San Jose, CA on
March 10-13, 2005.
This is the 12th consecutive year that the team will compete at nationals,
with the Rolling Timberwolves one of just two teams in the nation to
make it to every national tournament. The Rolling Timberwolves are
also the 2005 Northern Conference Junior Division Champions and have
a 2004-05 season record of 26 wins and 4 losses.
Coached by Dan Price
and George Kiefner, and managed by Courage Youth Sports President
Jeff Downes and Janelle Spoden from the Courage Sports & Recreation
staff, the wheelchair basketball team has nine players. They include
Tom Abrahamson, Charles Aoki, Sarah Binsfeld, Andrew Brenes, Evan
Carlson, Brendan Downes, Ben Kenyon, Matt Simmons and Kasey Stelter.
High school seniors on the squad include Abrahamson of Mankato, Brenes
of River Falls, and Downes of Rosemount.
"These kids are so powerful and are an absolutely outstanding
team," said Sharon Van Winkel, program director for Courage Center's
Sports and Recreation Program. "Last year at nationals the Rolling
Timberwolves placed second. They hope to win the tournament this
year like they did in 1995."
Sixteen teams are invited to the annual championship event based on
wins and standings at regional and conference events. The team started
practices at Courage Center last August and will compete its season
at the March championship. For more information, visit www.courage.org
