Laforest Takes Long Way to Sitting Team Practice

B.J. Hoeptner Evans
Manager, Media Relations and Publications
Phone: (719) 228-6800
E-Mail: bj.evans@usav.org

EDMOND, Okla. (July 16, 2010) – Several players on both the U.S. Women’s and Men’s Sitting Teams are resident athletes at the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO), which is an official U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Site.

However not all the players can live on campus, and among those that don’t, Edgar Laforest no doubt has the longest commute.

Laforest lives in San Juan, Puerto Rico, with his wife and three daughters. Every three weeks he takes a five-hour plane ride (with a stop in Dallas) to the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond to train with the team.

Laforest found out about the U.S. Sitting Volleyball Program when he traveled to the United States as the coach of a Puerto Rican club team for the 2006 USAV Girls’ Junior National Championships. The sitting teams did an exhibition scrimmage at the event.

These days, Laforest is trying to recruit more Puerto Ricans to the U.S. team.

“I’ve been trying to get the U.S. team down there to do an exhibition,” he said. “I’ve already found a setter for us.”

MEANS OF SUPPORT

The U.S. Men’s and Women’s Sitting Teams have the support of impressive staffs  in their quests for victory at the 2010 Sitting Volleyball World Championships.

The U.S. Women’s Team relies on Head Coach Bill Hamiter and Assistant Coach Cara Lang, who is assisted by baby son Joshua. Their team leader is Jamie Aweau, who is assisted by baby daughter Kaile’a. Brian Choate is their athletic trainer.

The U.S. Men’s Team is led by Head Coach Edgar Miraku and Assistant Coach Dixie Collins. Kimo Aweau (husband of Jamie and father of Kaile’a) is their team leader, who rides around campus on a skateboard. Kazuma Akehi is their athletic trainer.

Barrett Hendricks has been providing statistics to the men’s team and Quinton Kraeer has been providing scouting support to both teams.

“It’s been great,” Hamiter said. “Edgar and I talk to each other (via wireless earpieces) when we’re playing. Our guys are helping out with scouting and video.

“One person can’t see it all and do it all.”

Elliot Blake, who usually helps both teams as the sitting volleyball coordinator, has been busy helping to run the event.

POLL OF THE DAY

What advice do you give kids who might be born missing a limb or have to have one amputated?

Kendra Lancaster (Westfield, Ind.): “Never let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. There’s always a way to do what you want. It’s up to you to figure out how.”

Heather Erickson (Fayetteville, N.C.): “Just because you don’t have a leg or arm doesn’t mean you can’t be active or play a sport.”

Eric Duda (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.): “There are lots of Paralympic spots out there. You don’t have to play volleyball, but you can do something. You’re going to feel alone sometimes, but there are people out there who can help you.”

Tags: Bill Hamiter, Edgar Miraku, Edgardo Laforest, Eric Duda, Heather Erickson, Kendra Lancaster, Sitting Volleyball, Sitting Volleyball World Championships, U.S. Men's Sitting Volleyball Team, U.S. Women's Sitting Volleyball Team