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Two Courage Center Wheelchair Basketball Teams Win National Championships

Posted on: Thursday, 26 March 2009, 14:47 CDT

GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn., March 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Congratulations to Courage Center youth athletes who play in the Prep and Varsity divisions of the National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA). Both the Courage Center Rolling Rowdies (Prep) and Courage Center Jr. Rolling Timberwolves teams are national wheelchair basketball champs, following play last weekend in Denver, Colo., at the 2009 NWBA National Championships.

The Jr. Rolling Timberwolves won their second consecutive NWBA Varsity Division championship by defeating the San Diego Hammer, 51-50, on Saturday, March 21. They went into the title game 4-0 after defeating Katie's Komets (Philadelphia) Thursday morning; the Bennet Blazers 57-30 Thursday night; and the Rancho Renegades from Racho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Facility in Los Angeles 48-43 on Friday. Tournament awards went to Connor Downes, named Player of the Game in the Championship Game; Ben Kenyon, MVP; and Downes and Chuck Aoki, Second Team, All-Tournament.

The Rolling Rowdies won the national title in the Prep Division (ages 6-12) by defeating Sterling Heights, Rose Hollerman, who plays for both the Rowdies and Timberwolves, was named MVP female in the Prep Division.

"I could not be prouder of our Courage Center wheelchair basketball teams. To win one national championship is amazing, but to come home with two championship teams is unimaginable," said Jr. Rolling Timberwolves coach Mike Bauler. "I am happy for the seniors on the Rolling Timberwolves. They deserve everything that has happened to them. Winning back-to-back championships is evidence of the time they put in every day to be their best."

Members of Courage Center's 2008-09 Jr. Rolling Timberwolves team are:

• Chuck Aoki, Minneapolis, a senior at Southwest High School, tri-team captain
• Derrick Bisnett of Bismark, N.D., a sophomore at Century High School
• Lucas Braun, of Mounds View, a freshman at Irondale High School
• Mark Braun of Mounds View, Minn., a freshman at Irondale High School
• Connor Downes, a senior at Rosemount High School, tri-team captain
• Rose Hollerman, of Elysian, Minn., a 7th grader at Elysian Middle School
• Ben Kenyon, a senior, Minnetonka High School, tri-team captain.
• Guthrie Lindquist of Lake City, Minn., a freshman at Lincoln Secondary
• Josh Scanlan of Delano, Minn., a sophomore at Watertown-Mayer High School
• Robbie Wilhelm of New Brighton, Minn., a junior at Irondale High School

Members of the Courage Center's 2008-2009 Rolling Rowdies team are:

• Kyle Anderson, New Prague, a 5th grader.
• Josie Aslakson, Jordan, a 7th grader at Jordan Middle School
• Abby Donkers, Faribault, a 6th grader at Kenyon-Wanamingo Middle School
• Collin Evans, Mondovi, Wis., a 5th grader in the Mondovi School District
• Jayson Gorton, Montrose, a 4th grader at Montrose Elementary School
• Emilee Gustafson, Howard Lake, a 2nd grader.
• Rose Hollerman, of Elysian, Minn., a 7th grader at Elysian Middle School
• Elizabeth Kimmes, Hastings, a 6th grader at Hastings Middle School
• Dan Kosanda, Maplegrove, a 6th grader at Fernbrook Elementary School
• Jonathan Laing, Lakeville, a 5th grader at Cherry View Elementary School
• Erik Marschel, Maplewood, a 10th grader, North High School St. Paul
• Janet Scanlon, Wayzata, a 5th grader
• JoLynn Super, Blaine, a 7th grader at Westwood Middle School
• Shane Swanson, Bloomington, a 2nd grader at Westwood Elementary School
• Zsolt Vincze, Lauderdale, a 5th grader.

The Jr. Rolling Timberwolves team is coached by Mike Bauler, Minneapolis, sports coordinator at Courage Center. The Rolling Rowdies team is coached by Jeff Gustafson, a Courage Center volunteer, and wheelchair basketball athlete.

Watch for more details on a college signing ceremony planned for Thursday, April 9 at 6 p.m., at Courage Center Golden Valley for the three captains of this year's Jr. Rolling Timberwolves team. All three have been heavily recruited by national wheelchair basketball college team.

About Courage Center: Courage Center is a nonprofit rehabilitation and resource center that advances the lives of children and adults experiencing barriers to health and independence. At Courage Center, we specialize in treating brain injury, spinal cord injury, stroke, chronic pain, autism, and disabilities experienced since birth. Founded in 1928, Minneapolis-based Courage Center offers advanced technologies and innovation provided in part through the efforts of thousands of volunteers and donors. For more information visit CourageCenter.org.

Contact: W. Mike Bauler, Courage Center, 612-388-4689 Sue Warner, Communications, Courage Center, 763-520-0263

SOURCE Courage Center

Source: PR Newswire

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