TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- University of Alabama students Mary Allison Milford of Magnolia, Ark., Stephanie Wheeler of Norlina, N.C., Alana Nichols of Farmington, N.M., and Desiree Miller of Monroe, Wash., have been selected by head coach Ron Lykins as members of the 2007 U.S. Paralympics Women’s Wheelchair Basketball National Team.

The four UA students are among 12 athletes who have been nominated to the 2007 U.S. Paralympics Team. The team will compete this summer at the ParaPan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The team members were announced after a weekend try out camp that was held at Lakeshore Foundation, an official U.S. Olympic and Paralympics Training Site.

Six of the athletes nominated to this team were also members of the 2004 team that won a gold medal at the Paralympics Games in Athens, Greece, and UA’s Wheeler was among that group.

Wheeler was also a member of the U.S. team that won a silver medal at the 2006 Wheelchair Basketball World Championships. Milford and Nichols also return from the 2006 World Championship team, while Miller is joining the U.S. team for the first time.

“We were really looking for versatility in our lineups,” said Coach Lykins of Stillwater, Minn. “We needed athletes that fit into our system and fit the philosophy of how we want to play.” The ParaPan American Games will serve as the U.S. qualification tournament for the 2008 Paralympics Games in Beijing, China. The team must finish in the top three to earn a spot at the 2008 Paralympics Games.

2007 U.S. Paralympics Women’s Wheelchair Basketball National Team

Sarah Castle
Patty Cisneros
Loraine Gonzales
Carlee Hoffman
Emily Hoskins
Jennifer Howitt
Mary Alison Milford – UA
Desiree Miller – UA
Becca Murray
Alana Nichols – UA
Jennifer Ruddell
Stephanie Wheeler – UA

The University of Alabama, a student-centered research university, is in the midst of a planned, steady enrollment growth with a goal of reaching 28,000 students by 2010. This growth, which is positively impacting the campus and the state's economy, is in keeping with UA's vision to be the university of choice for the best and brightest students. UA, the state's flagship university, is an academic community united in its commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all Alabamians.