GETTING A FINANCIAL BOOST THANKS TO ESPN. IT RECEIVED AN INNOVATION CHALLENGE GRANT. THE FUNDS WILL HELP LAKESHORE TAKE ITS SUPER SPORTS SATURDAY ON THE ROAD. IT WILL HOST FIVE EVENTS IN MONTGOMERY. TRAIN MENTORS, AND IT AIMS TO LAY THE FOUNDATION FOR A MODE OF PLAY F
Lakeshore Foundation hosts selection for USA Wheelchair Rugby’s elite squad
Updated: 8:11 AM CST Nov 23, 2025
Video above: Lakeshore Foundation gets ESPN grantUSA Wheelchair Rugby has selected 16 athletes to the 2026 National Training Squad, finalizing the roster that will compete for a title at the upcoming World Championships in Brazil.The squad was determined following a three-day selection camp held Nov. 13-15 at the Lakeshore Foundation U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Site. The final roster was whittled down from a pool of 32 athletes from across the country.Head Coach Joe Delagrave said the selection process focused on building habits necessary for international success.“I’m proud of the group of athletes we’ve selected to help us compete for the top of the podium at the 2026 World Championships,” Delagrave said. “Selection camp reminded us why we grind and what it truly means to wear USA on our chest. The habits we’re building now are the ones that will show up when the lights get bright in Brazil.”The 2026 National Training Squad roster includes:Sarah Adam (Naperville, Ill.)Chuck Aoki (Minneapolis)Travis Baker (Hamilton, Ohio)Justin Beavers (Portland, Ore.)Clayton Brackett (Birmingham, Ala.)Chris Fleace (Tucson, Ariz.)Lee Fredette (East Moriches, N.Y.)Kevin Hamilton (Arlington Heights, Ill.)Zayne Hammoudeh (Green, Ohio)Brad Hudspeth (Stilwell, Kan.)Mandy Marchiano (Colonial Heights, Va.)Josh O’Neill (Colorado Springs, Colo.)Alex Pabon (Guayama, Puerto Rico)Kory Puderbaugh (Boise, Idaho)Zion Redington (Birmingham, Ala.)Mason Symons (Hershey, Pa.)The team is scheduled to return to Birmingham in January for its next training camp. The squad is preparing for the 2026 World Wheelchair Rugby World Championship, which is scheduled for Aug. 15-24, 2026, in Sao Paulo, Brazil.The team operates under the Lakeshore National Adapted Sports Organization, the national governing body for the sport, based at the Lakeshore Foundation in Birmingham.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. —
Video above: Lakeshore Foundation gets ESPN grant
USA Wheelchair Rugby has selected 16 athletes to the 2026 National Training Squad, finalizing the roster that will compete for a title at the upcoming World Championships in Brazil.
The squad was determined following a three-day selection camp held Nov. 13-15 at the Lakeshore Foundation U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Site. The final roster was whittled down from a pool of 32 athletes from across the country.
Head Coach Joe Delagrave said the selection process focused on building habits necessary for international success.
“I’m proud of the group of athletes we’ve selected to help us compete for the top of the podium at the 2026 World Championships,” Delagrave said. “Selection camp reminded us why we grind and what it truly means to wear USA on our chest. The habits we’re building now are the ones that will show up when the lights get bright in Brazil.”
The 2026 National Training Squad roster includes:
- Sarah Adam (Naperville, Ill.)
- Chuck Aoki (Minneapolis)
- Travis Baker (Hamilton, Ohio)
- Justin Beavers (Portland, Ore.)
- Clayton Brackett (Birmingham, Ala.)
- Chris Fleace (Tucson, Ariz.)
- Lee Fredette (East Moriches, N.Y.)
- Kevin Hamilton (Arlington Heights, Ill.)
- Zayne Hammoudeh (Green, Ohio)
- Brad Hudspeth (Stilwell, Kan.)
- Mandy Marchiano (Colonial Heights, Va.)
- Josh O’Neill (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
- Alex Pabon (Guayama, Puerto Rico)
- Kory Puderbaugh (Boise, Idaho)
- Zion Redington (Birmingham, Ala.)
- Mason Symons (Hershey, Pa.)
The team is scheduled to return to Birmingham in January for its next training camp. The squad is preparing for the 2026 World Wheelchair Rugby World Championship, which is scheduled for Aug. 15-24, 2026, in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
The team operates under the Lakeshore National Adapted Sports Organization, the national governing body for the sport, based at the Lakeshore Foundation in Birmingham.