Courage Center at the 2012 London Summer Paralympics

Courage Center and Minnesota will be well represented among the 4,200 athletes from 166 countries competing at the 2012 London Summer Paralympics, Aug. 29 - Sept. 9. Courage Center will be represented by the following athletes:

Chuck Aoki – Athlete on the U.S. Wheelchair Rugby Team


Aoki began playing wheelchair rugby in 2008 at Courage Center after being inspired by the movie “Murderball”. In 2009, Aoki became the youngest athlete ever selected for the U.S. Wheelchair Rugby National Team. After only three years of competition Aoki was selected as the 2011 U.S. Quad Rugby Association’s (USQRA) Athlete of the Year.

Aoki is considered to be one of the greatest wheelchair rugby athletes in the world and at his young age (21) could be one of the best ever to play the game. The U.S. Wheelchair Rugby Team, gold medalist at the 2008 Beijing Summer Paralympics, is among the favorites to win a gold medal at the 2012 London Summer Paralympics.

Aoki also was a member of the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 Courage Center Jr. Rolling Timberwolves basketball team that became NWBA Varsity National Champions. Aoki was the co-captain of the 2008-2009 Jr. Rolling Timberwolves. After the 2012 London Summer Paralympics and for the 2012-2013 season, Aoki will participate as a member of the Courage Center North Stars (wheelchair rugby).

Rose Hollermann – Athlete on the U.S. Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Team

Hollermann is the youngest woman ever to be selected to a men’s or women’s U.S. Wheelchair Basketball Team. She also was selected to U.S. Women's Wheelchair Basketball Team for the 2011 Women's U25 World Wheelchair Basketball Championships in Ontario, Canada and for the 2011 Parapan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico. Known as “The Kid” on the team, Hollermann is likely the future superstar for the U.S. Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Team.

Hollermann has been involved in adapted sports programs at Courage Center for eight years. Hollermann has participated in the following Courage Center programs: archery, swimming, track & field, wheelchair basketball and the Courage Center Youth Leadership Academy. As a participant in the Courage Center Youth Wheelchair Basketball program, she has been selected to numerous all-tournament teams and awarded the tournament MVP countless times.

Hollerman was named the 2012 National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) Junior Division Female MVP. Hollermann was a member of the Courage Center Rolling Rowdies that were the 2008 NWBA Prep National Champions. Hollermann was also a member of the Jr. Rolling Timberwolves that were the 2008, 2009, and 2010 NWBA Varsity National Champions. After the 2012 London Summer Paralympics and for the 2012-2013 season, she will participate as a member of the Courage Center Jr. Rolling Timberwolves (wheelchair basketball).

Others attending the 2012 London Summer Paralympics with Courage Center connections:

Sarah Binsfeld – Athlete on the U.S. Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Team.
Former Courage Center athlete and off-season training at Courage Center.
Sarah’s sister, Sam, is a current participant in the Courage Center Youth Wheelchair Basketball program and member of the Courage Center Jr. Rolling Gophers.

Jon Rydberg –Athlete on the U.S. Wheelchair Tennis Team.
Member of the Courage Center Adult Rolling Timberwolves.

Ian Lynch – Athlete on the U.S. Men’s Wheelchair Basketball Team
Former Courage Center athlete, off-season training at Courage Center and former coach of the Courage Center Jr. Rolling Timberwolves.

Anna Eames – Athlete on U.S. Paralympic Swimming Team.
Former member of the Courage Center Blizzard (competitive swim team).

Justin Zook – Athlete on the U.S. Paralympic Swimming Team.
Former member of the Courage Center Blizzard (competitive swim team).

Dan James – Head Coach of the U.S. Wheelchair Tennis Team.
Courage Center Volunteer.

Dan Price –Assistant Coach of the U.S. Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Team.
Former Head Coach of the Courage Center Jr. Rolling Timberwolves (wheelchair basketball).

Joe Delegrave – Athlete on the U.S. Wheelchair Rugby Team.
Former member of the Courage Center North Stars (wheelchair rugby).

Jeff Downes – Team Leader of the U.S. Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Team.
Parent of former Courage Center athletes.

Other Minnesotans attending the 2012 London Summer Paralympics:
Paul Nitz – U.S. Paralympic Track & Field Team
Aaron Pike – U.S. Paralympic Track & Field Team
Mallorry Weggemann – U.S. Paralympic Swimming Team
Tom Franke - U.S. Paralympic Swimming Team
Mitch Seidenfeld – U.S. Paralympic Table Tennis

Learn more about these paralympians in the recent startribune stories:
http://www.startribune.com/sports/167131465.html  
http://www.startribune.com/sports/167128015.html  

There also is a good video of Rose Hollerman on KSTP: http://kstp.com/sports/stories/S2734553.shtml?cat=7