ST. PAUL, MN – Governor Mark Dayton and Lt. Governor Tina Smith today recognized the 11 athletes with ties to Minnesota preparing to compete in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Paralympic Games. Governor Dayton and Lt. Governor Smith praised the athletes for their accomplishments and wished them luck as they prepare to compete in the Rio Games.

 

“Paralympic athletes embody the values that we all strive to emulate in our personal lives. These individuals overcome great challenges to compete at the highest level, on the world stage,” said Governor Mark Dayton. “On behalf of all Minnesotans, I wish all of our Paralympians success at the 2016 Rio Paralympics.”

 

“Minnesota’s Paralympians courageously pursue their goals, refusing to allow any obstacle to block their dreams. They set an incredible example for us all,” said Lt. Governor Tina Smith. “I look forward to joining all Minnesotans in cheering on our Paralympians throughout the 2016 Games!”

 

Minnesota’s Summer Paralympians will compete in a variety of different sports including: Wheelchair Rugby, Soccer, Judo, Track and Field, Wheelchair Basketball, Sitting Volleyball, Swimming, and Shooting. Minnesotans can learn more about their hometown athletes and follow their events by clicking these links to the Team USA website:

 

Aoki is from Minneapolis and attended Southwest High School. This will be his second Paralympics, having won bronze when Team USA defeated Japan at the 2012 London Games. Aoki has been a member of the USA wheelchair rugby team since 2009 and earned a bronze medal in the 2014 World Championship games. He also is a member of the Minnesota Wheelchair Rugby Club.

 

Boyle is from Minneapolis and is a 2013 graduate from Shattuck Saint Mary’s in Faribault. Currently, he is attending San Jose State University, where he is a member of the soccer team. This is his first Paralympics. Boyle played goalkeeper for the American team that finished sixth at the Pre-Paralympic tournament.

 

Goodrich is from Saint Paul and currently attends the University of Minnesota. Originally a wrestler, Goodrich started competing in Judo in 2011 after taking a physical education elective course during college. In 2015, Goodrich won gold in the 100kg at the U.S. National Championship and won gold, and the brown belt 100kg at the 2014 US National Championship. This is his first Paralympics.

 

Hollermann is from Elysian. This will be her second Paralympics. Hollerman first competed at the 2012 London Game, where the team placed fourth. Hollermann received the gold medal in the Under 25 World Championship and the Parapan American Games in 2011. Hollermann was a national champion in 2014. This will be her second Paralympic games.

 

Lynch currently lives in Brooklyn Park. He attended the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater where he played basketball, winning the college championship every year. This will be his third Paralympics. Lynch first competed in the 2008 Beijing Games, where Team USA finished fourth. In 2012, he was a member of the American team took home the bronze. Lynch also played professional wheelchair basketball in Rome for three years and won the Italian Championship in 2012.

 

Pike is from Park Rapids. He attended the University of Illinois-Champaign, where he was a member of the wheelchair track and field team. A double-sport athlete, Pike competed in track at the 2012 Summer Paralympic Games and Nordic skiing at the 2014 Winter Paralympics. In 2015, Pike finished first in 1500 meter race at the U.S. Paralympic Track and Field National Championship. Pike also has completed several marathons, including the Twin Cities marathon, where he placed third in 2010 and second in 2013.

 

Rydberg is from Pine City. He currently lives in Woodbury. A four-time Paralympian, Rydberg competed in the 2004, 2008, and the 2012 Paralympic games. Rydberg won a gold medal in doubles tennis at the 2011 Parapan American Games. He also earned gold medals in singles and doubles tennis at the 2007 Parapan American Games. Rydberg currently coaches both boy’s and girl’s tennis at East Ridge High School in Woodbury.

 

Shifflett, a Waseca native, currently attends the University of Central Oklahoma, where she is a member of the volleyball team. Shifflett won gold at the ParaVolley Intercontinental Cup this year in addition to winning silver in the 2014 ParaVolley World Championships. In 2016, Shifflet received the Wilma Rudolph Award as part of the 2016 Minnesota National Girls and Women in Sports Day. In 2015, she was named the Most Improved Player on the USA Volleyball Female sitting team.

 

Raised in Edina, Sims recently graduated from Edina High School this past spring. A member of the YWCA Minneapolis Otters since she was 13 years old, this is her first time participating in the Paralympics. Sims won silver in the 4 x 50 meter free relay at the 2015 Parapan American Games and bronze in the 100 meter free at the 2015 CanAm Para Swimming Championship.

 

One of the four athletes on Team USA serving on active-duty in the United States Army, Staff Sergeant Tichenor was born in Brainerd. In 2011, he stepped on a pressure plate IED while serving in Kandahar, Afghanistan causing his heel bone to shatter. Tichenor’s injuries meant he would be unable to run again. In response, he made the decision to have his right leg amputated below the knee. Tichenor join a Marksmanship Unit in order to continue his active duty service. This is his first Paralympic Games.

 

Weggemann grew up in Eagan and is a 2011 graduate of the University of Minnesota. Weggemann is the recipient of several accolades, including the 2011 ESPY for Best Female Athlete with a Disability, Swimming World Magazine’s Female Disabled Swimmer of the Year in 2009 and 2010, and USA Swimming’s Disabled Swimmer of the Year in 2009-2011. This will be Weggemann’s second Paralympics having competed in London in 2012 where she won gold and set the Paralympic record for 50 meter freestyle. Weggemann also won nine gold medals at the Pan Pacific Championships in 2011, and currently holds 15 world records.