TUCSON LOBOS WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL ROSTER

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Matilda Lawrence
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TUCSON LOBOS 2016-17 WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL ROSTER The Tucson Lobos are a diverse group of athletes ages 19-73 reflecting the diversity of Southern Arizona.

This coupled with our strength of schedule earned the Lobos an invitation to the National Wheelchair Basketball Tournament March 30 April 2 at the Kentucky Exposition

Special thanks to the Paralyzed Veterans of America, Arizona Chapter for helping the Lobos get to Nationals!

At age 15 she was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. She rostered with the Lobos this year and is a fierce competitor.

Sunny loves participating in a sport where she can excel and achieve life goals she only dreamed of before.

1 TUCSON LOBOS WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL ROSTER The Tucson Lobos are a diverse group of athletes ages reflecting the diversity of Southern Arizona. The Lobos play in Division 3 of the National Wheelchair Basketball Association and ended the season ranked 12 th out of 52 teams. This coupled with our strength of schedule earned the Lobos an invitation to the National Wheelchair Basketball Tournament March 30 April 2 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville. The Lobos are a community team relying on support from sponsors, donors and fundraisers. Special thanks to the Paralyzed Veterans of America, Arizona Chapter for helping the Lobos get to Nationals! Meet the Tucson Lobos: Santanyia Sunny Rodabaugh Age: 20 Sunny started playing wheelchair basketball along with her brother Shane at age 10. At age 15 she was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. She rostered with the Lobos this year and is a fierce competitor. Her physical toughness and aggressive play was noticed by Coach Pete Hughes who invited Sunny to join the University of Arizona Women s Team next season. Sunny loves participating in a sport where she can excel and achieve life goals she only dreamed of before. ALFREDO LARA Hometown: Nogales, Arizona Age: 24 Alfredo is a 3rd year biochemistry student University of Arizona. Prior to his injury in an auto accident at age 17, Alfredo was a 'hoodlum'. After his accident, his life changed. He became focused on his future. He is pursuing education, setting new goals for himself. Alfredo recently discovered the Lobos and loves wheelchair basketball. Alfredo is very excited to travel to the Nationals to "be with my team and keep getting better at basketball."

HERMAN ORTEGA Herman has played 3 years with the Lobos. He works as a customer service representative with Alorica. Herman volunteers at Pueblo Center with youth recreation programs.

Herman has missed a month of practices while his Dad was in the hospital, but he's back and excited to be traveling to the National Tournament.

Jesse has returned to wheelchair basketball. He is a fierce competitor and is super excited to play hard at the National tournament.

He lost his leg above the knee. Karl has rapidly become a top scorer and defensive power with great rebounding skills. Always positive and encouraging, Karl is a natural athlete and leader.

2 HERMAN ORTEGA Herman has played 3 years with the Lobos. He works as a customer service representative with Alorica. Herman volunteers at Pueblo Center with youth recreation programs. Herman's dad, a City of Tucson Paving Crew worker, recently had bypass surgery. Herman has missed a month of practices while his Dad was in the hospital, but he's back and excited to be traveling to the National Tournament. JESSE WALSH Hometown: Huntington, NY A two-sport athlete, Jesse was a top ranked racer and, at 16 years, competed in major international races and tournament. Jesse has returned to wheelchair basketball. He is a fierce competitor and is super excited to play hard at the National tournament. Jesse leads the team in steals and has super fast speed and chair skills. KARL YARES Karl was driving a truck on a catering crew for hot-shot fire fighters when his truck went off the road last July. He lost his leg above the knee. Karl has rapidly become a top scorer and defensive power with great rebounding skills. Always positive and encouraging, Karl is a natural athlete and leader. Karl has a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Arizona. He plays disc golf, wheelchair tennis, and is thrilled to be going to nationals to 'see the best players in the world - in person, and be part of the excitement." MIGUEL ABOYTE Hometown: Ciudad Obregon, Sonora Mexico Age: 44 Miguel is the father of three kids and married to a loving wife. Born with spina bifida, Miguel later lost both legs to infections. He is always upbeat and has been a great addition to the Lobos. Miguel played wheelchair basketball in Mexico as a youth and recently helped the Lobos organize a friendly game in Nogales, Mexico with a Sonoran team. Miguel is enjoying the exercise and competitive spirit of the Lobos.

SHANE RODABAUGH Age 19: Shane is studying at Pima Community College and plans to attend Arizona State University where he would love to play with ASU's Intercollegiate Team.

Shane is one of our most dedicated players and will be a huge asset at Nationals. BRANDON ATHEY is an artist, father, husband and the Team Captain.

He was introduced to the Tucson Lobos and started to be himself again a happier husband and father, and a normal guy enjoying recreational sports with friends.

Then he found wheelchair basketball and found renewed interest in life, plus camaraderie on and off the court.

and recreation. GUY KEENAN is a retired Pima County prosecutor and a University of Arizona Alumni. He is a passionate Wildcat and Lobo!

3 SHANE RODABAUGH Age 19: Shane is studying at Pima Community College and plans to attend Arizona State University where he would love to play with ASU's Intercollegiate Team. Shane has played wheelchair sports since age 8. Shane is the fastest player on the team, often getting the fast break layup and generating turnovers with his quick hands. Shane is one of our most dedicated players and will be a huge asset at Nationals. BRANDON ATHEY is an artist, father, husband and the Team Captain. Born with spina bifida, Brandon led a fairly normal and wonderful childhood. Then in 2015 he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. This crushed Brandon, a normally cheery and social guy. He was introduced to the Tucson Lobos and started to be himself again a happier husband and father, and a normal guy enjoying recreational sports with friends. Brandon is an inspirational player, always encouraging his teammates and leading by example. EDWARD MCCARTY lost his leg from a hit and run accident. He thought his life was over. Then he found wheelchair basketball and found renewed interest in life, plus camaraderie on and off the court. Ed has led the Lobos outreach program and started Achilles, an amputee support group, reaching out to newly injured and disabled community members to introduce them to the joy of wheelchair sports and recreation. GUY KEENAN is a retired Pima County prosecutor and a University of Arizona Alumni. He is a passionate Wildcat and Lobo! Guy is a longtime Lobo having played wheelchair ball for 10 years. He is active in the Pima County Democrats and loves a good debate. Guy is married and enjoys time with friends on an off the court. ARTHUR PARSON is the Tucson Lobos Player-Coach. Arthur is a Pastor and man of deep faith. He is a U.S. Army Veteran and participates in the annual National Veterans Wheelchair Games in several sports. He drives to practice from his home in Sierra Vista and has dedication and passion second to none. Arthur has over 30 years experience playing wheelchair basketball and is thrilled to be taking the Lobos to the National Tournament, his first time as a player-coach.

PENYE MURRAY is the newest Lobo. Penye was injured in a motorcycle accident and later lost her leg due to complications.

Being on the court surrounded with aggressive players was a challenge at first, but Penye has exceeded her own expectations and now loves being part of the Lobo family.

He was selected for resettlement and relocated to Tucson in 2014. As a youth on his own, with no English, no money and no friends, Ammar was struggling to adapt to American life.

ROBERT OROSCO lost his leg due to complications from diabetes. He had stopped exercising, gained weight and was getting depressed.

Robert has picked up the game of wheelchair basketball quickly and enjoys the exercise, camaraderie and challenge of the sport. Robert grew up in New Mexico and has a lovely wife, Bertha.

4 PENYE MURRAY is the newest Lobo. Penye was injured in a motorcycle accident and later lost her leg due to complications. She was hesitant to come to basketball practice having never played sports and not knowing a thing about basketball. Being on the court surrounded with aggressive players was a challenge at first, but Penye has exceeded her own expectations and now loves being part of the Lobo family. Her upbeat and positive personality is a major boost to the Lobos. AMMAR ALZUWAINI, age 27, was born in Baghdad, Iraq. He escaped violent conflict fled as a refugee to Turkey. He was selected for resettlement and relocated to Tucson in As a youth on his own, with no English, no money and no friends, Ammar was struggling to adapt to American life. Ammar met the Lobos through his mentor and found a new way to have fun, meet people and practice English. He is the Lobos Assistant Manager. ROBERT OROSCO lost his leg due to complications from diabetes. He had stopped exercising, gained weight and was getting depressed. He came to the Lobos this season looking for an outlet and stress reliever. Robert has picked up the game of wheelchair basketball quickly and enjoys the exercise, camaraderie and challenge of the sport. Robert grew up in New Mexico and has a lovely wife, Bertha. Robert is always ready to help with the equipment and has become a valuable member of the Lobos. LARRY LOPEZ had open-heart surgery six years ago. That led to three strokes. Doctors told him he would never walk again. As an active man, this shocked Larry, but he did not let it bring him down. He heard about the Tucson Lobos and joined the Team. Larry became the Team Representative and has advocated for adaptive sports opportunities for all. Larry works as a supervisor for City of Tucson Parks and Recreation. TONY SANCHEZ lost his freedom in an instant. He got behind the wheel of a car after a night of partying causing an accident which killed the driver of another car, endangered his passenger, and left Tony paralyzed. He spent 8 years in prison. During this trying time, Tony decided to make some changes. He obtained his GED and dedicated himself to being a better man when he was released. Tony started playing with the Lobos 3 years ago. He shares his story with youth and is an exemplary team leader.

JESUS RANGEL CARPIO is a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran and is the senior Lobo player having been with the team for 10 years. Jesus is married to his high school sweetheart and has 3 kids.

Jesus will be playing in his 2 nd National Tournament with the Lobos. EMILIO FLORES Age: 20 Emilio is a member of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe.

Emilio is practicing with the University of Arizona Men's team in hopes of moving up to Division 1 next year. Emilio was the high scorer for the Lobos this season and Offense Player of the Year.

5 JESUS RANGEL CARPIO is a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran and is the senior Lobo player having been with the team for 10 years. Jesus is married to his high school sweetheart and has 3 kids. He is a soccer coach and is dedicated to his family. Jesus is a multi-sport athlete excelling in wheelchair basketball, wheelchair tennis, and field events. Jesus will be playing in his 2 nd National Tournament with the Lobos. EMILIO FLORES Age: 20 Emilio is a member of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe. Bone cancer has taken most of his right leg and he has survived through a series of operations and multiple hospitalizations. Emilio is practicing with the University of Arizona Men's team in hopes of moving up to Division 1 next year. Emilio was the high scorer for the Lobos this season and Offense Player of the Year. GEORGE NORTON Hometown: Boston, MA Age: 73 As the senior-most player on the Lobos, George is a great contributor on and off the court. He is a U.S. Navy Veteran and he has played in every division and with many teams over the years. George regularly competes in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games and continues to love sports of all kinds, exceling in tennis and basketball. He and his wife Winnie moved to Green Valley, AZ from Boston last summer.

PUBLIC COMMENT (Outline)

DATE: November 13, 2017 TO: RE: Holt School Board Meeting; Public Comment Naming the tennis courts at Holt High School the Chuck Hill Tennis Complex PUBLIC COMMENT (Outline) Contents: Public Comment by