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MN Wheelchair Basketball Teams Compete Nationally
by Pat Goodwin
Three
youth wheelchair basketball teams sponsored by Courage Center competed
in national tournaments in their respective divisions during March. The
participants, both boys and girls, range in age from 8 to 18.
The teams include the Rolling Rowdies, the youngest team, which played in Peoria,
IL, March 10-12, 2006; the Courage Lightning, a junior varsity team, competed
in Omaha, NE, March 17-19, 2006; and the Minnesota Junior Rolling Timberwolves,
the varsity squad, which has qualified for the national tournament that was hosted
in Houston on March 24-26, 2006.
“We are so excited that all three of our youth basketball teams will compete
at the national level,” said Sharon Van Winkel, program director for Courage
Center’s Sports and Recreation Program. “The teams began practicing
last August and just concluded their seasons. Just like the college teams,
we have our own March Madness.”
The Junior Rolling Timber-wolves, ranked fourth in the nation and with nine players,
will make its 13th consecutive trip to compete at nationals. Sixteen teams
are invited to the annual varsity championship based on wins and standings at
regional and conference events. The Junior Rolling Timberwolves team is
coached by Dan Price, George Kiefner, Zac Nieman and Steve Roller, and is managed
by Courage Youth Sports President Jeff Downes and Janelle Spoken from the Courage
Sports and Recreation staff.
Junior Rolling Timber-wolves players, who are all in high school, include Charles
Aoki, Minneapolis; Sarah Binsfeld, Vadnais Heights; Evan Carlson, Champlin; Connor
Downes, Rosemount; Ben Kenyon, Minnetonka; Matt Simmons, Apple Valley; Josh Scanlon,
Delano; Kasey Stelter, Kasota; and Kyle Timmerman, Minneota.
The teams practice at the Courage Center gymnasium located at the facility in
Golden Valley. Coaches for the Courage Lightning and Rolling Rowdies teams
include Kiefner, Bob Dolan, Elizabeth Pond, Jennifer Clarke, Rick Story and Tim
Thode. Benilde St. Margaret students and basketball players Joe Jensen
and Charles Moore are assistant coaches of the Rowdies.
For more information, visit www.courage.org
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The Rolling Rowdies, the youngest team Courage sponsors, placed 8th
in Peoria 
The junior varsity team, Courage Lightening,
pictured with their cheerleaders, finished in 8th place at Omaha
The Junior Rolling Timberwolves ranked 4th in
the nation
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