Student Life

ROLLING TRITONS - WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL CLUB

The Edmonds Community College Rolling Tritons Wheelchair Basketball Club and Team started in January 2006. The club, which is sponsored by Student Programs, currently has more than 30 members, 10 of whom are active players. The club's goal is to raise awareness of the sport and to provide people of all ability the opportunity to compete and to gain leadership skills, improve health and garner new friendships. "The club promotes good sportsmanship with a fun vibe," says Gerard Ah-Fook, the team's coach and an Edmonds Community College student.

In 1999, he nearly lost his life in a debilitating accident. He now uses a wheelchair. Playing basketball gives him a physical outlet and he's become a positive role model and mentor as an athlete. The team joined the National Wheelchair Basketball Association in 2006 and competed in two Division III local tournaments. They plan to compete this spring in Las Vegas and Columbia, Missouri. Their goal is to play in as many tournaments as possible and pick up sponsorships to cover traveling costs. To stay in the league, they must play 10 games per season (three tournaments). With each competition, the Rolling Tritons' reputation grows.

Off the court, the players are mentors and tutors. Each member does at least an hour of community service each week. "There is definitely a need for the mentorship," said Gerard. "We encourage everyone to take the extra step and help others." Members of the club ultimately inspire themselves as well as others, he said. Join The Rolling Tritons - 6 p.m. , Sundays at Seaview Gym, Edmonds Community College, 20000 68th Avenue West, Lynnwood. http://campus.edcc.edu. Players commit to at least an hour of service per week as a mentor or tutor. Competing in games is optional. Contact Mitzellah Ah-Fook at (425) 640-1125, or email mitzellah.ah-fook@edcc.edu. To find out more about the National Wheelchair Basketball Association, log on to www.nwba.org.

Rolling Triton Wheelchair Baskeball Club profiles:

Jon McKanna, Captain of the Rolling Tritons Age: 26 Hometown: Monroe, WA University of Arizona 2004 graduate "I was born with spina bifida and try not to let it limit my ability. Being a part of this club is a great outlet to show my talent and ability. I want to be a leader on and off the court and be a positive role model for people."

Jeff Compatore Age: 39 Hometown: Kent, WA Majoring in Business Management at the University of Phoenix "I am a t-3 paraplegic and have been for 16.5 years. I was injured in a motorcycle crash on my way to work in July 1990. I never imagined that I would be in a chair for life and I never thought I would be on a basketball team at the age of 39. You never know what turn your life might take until it happens. Being on this team has given me new playing skills that I could not get just anywhere. The chance that you live near a large community with enough disabled people that want to play the same sport and be able to have a full team line up is not frequent. The opportunity to be a part of this team is great."

Jerry Mitchell Age: 20 Hometown: Buckley, WA Plans to study computer technology at a technical school "I am a 20-year-old with arthrogryposis, which is a disability in my hips, knees and feet. My joints were created too stiff to really move and my feet were fused to my legs making it impossible to move my feet in any way. Progress and success is what I'm here for. I look forward to "stepping" on the court every chance I get! It's such a thrill."

Lareese Santos Age: 21 Hometown: Bothell, WA Cascadia Community College student "I am in the club because I wanted to experience a challenge. Wheelchair basketball is something I am not familiar with. Being an able-bodied woman, playing with men with disabilities ranging from spinal cord injuries to spina bifida, being integrated in a community full of diversity is important to me. Not only that, it's a chance for me to be active in the community as well as being active for health reasons. It is giving me more confidence as a student, an athlete, and as a person in general."

David Stump Age: 46 Hometown: Tacoma, WA Computer Science degree "I fractured my back in a sledding accident in Palmer Alaska on Dec. 24, 1980. I fractured my skull, back and chest. My spinal cord was stretched, when my chin hit my chest, then pinched when my back straightened out. I am in this club because I enjoy the camaraderie and exercise involved with wheelchair basketball. It's nice to be involved with a club that has set goals for the team and individuals on the team. We help each other get better so that the team gets better. I have been playing wheelchair basketball since 1988, and I just hope I can pass on what I have learned over the years to help out the team. Helping other teammates get better motivates me to improve and get better."