LIFESTYLE FOR ALL AGES

> Local Sports: Athletes of the Month
> Naperville: Funny Side Up
> Seasonal: Where to Celebrate Summer 2010

____________________________________________________________

ATHLETES OF THE MONTH
Windy City Warriors Win IHSA Wheelchair Basketball State Championship

By Jane Donahue

The Windy City Warriors may need to coin the phrase “five-peat.”   The group of 12 athletes, under the direction of Coach Kevin Hosea, earned the Illinois High School Association wheelchair basketball state title for the fifth time, and it never gets old.
“To me, the IHSA win means a lot because it was the first one that they have won with me as their coach,” said Hosea, 25.  “It means a lot to my players as well because they have won it before, and I know that they have a goal to win it every year.”
The Warriors are sponsored by Western DuPage Special Recreation Association, a cooperative extension of nine park districts in Chicago’s western suburbs.  The athletes, ranging in age from 13 to 18 years, train each week at the Ackerman Sports and Fitness Center in Glen Ellyn.
Hosea may be in his first year as the Warriors’ coach, but as a former player at the junior and college levels, he brings years of experience to the court.
Hosea said while the athletes enjoyed another victorious season, they will take away much more than that at the end of the day.
“There are many benefits for kids who are on the Warriors,” said Hosea. “It improves your basketball skills, it keeps you in shape, which helps you in your normal daily activities.  It helps build self esteem because it shows the kids that they can still participate in competitive sports despite having a disability.”
Congratulations to the members of the 2009-2010 Windy City Warriors:
Amy Chapman,  Blake Harmet, Randi Reingardt, Justin Harrison, Matt Molenkamp, Chris Murphy, Jonathan Ruiz, Nick Umek, Douglas Davison, Erik Todd, Kyle Gribble, Dannie Ocasio and coachesKevin Hosea and Steve Bicek.

We are looking to highlight local sporting activities.  Would you like to see your game or athlete featured at Glancer online?  Email us with suggestions!