IQA Update

Team USA Roster Released

by Team USA Selection Committee | April 13, 2014

The Team USA selection committee is proud to announce the 2014 Global Games roster for Team USA. These twenty one players were chosen by the committee based on their on-field achievements, leadership and ability to be great ambassadors for US quidditch. We have the utmost confidence that these twenty one players will not only bring home the gold for the United States but will also be the best representatives of our nation and sport while participating in the Global Games in Vancouver.

For a full list of national teams that have been announced so far, please visit this page.

Mid-Atlantic
Harry Greenhouse, Chaser, Maryland Quidditch

Photo by /IQA Staff

For years, Harry Greenhouse has been the heart and soul of the Mid-Atlantic's most consistent and elite side. He only has one gear, and his work rate never shows any signs of slowing down. As a chaser, he is truly a five-tool player, mixing elite speed, physicality, passing, shooting and awareness. One of the toughest point defenders around, Greenhouse loves to lead by example and drives his team forward with crushing tackles. He's also an able seeker, using his tenacity, as well as his wrestling background, to great effect. Greenhouse is one of the sport's truest competitors and will bring that spirit with him to Vancouver

Michael Parada, Chaser, NYDC Capitalists

Photo by /IQA Staff

Michael Parada returns to Team USA for a second consecutive time. He earned his spot two years ago as a member of Penn State University, a program that flourished under his leadership. This year, he helped build the NYDC Capitalists in their inaugural season, and his skill on the offensive end once again shone through. Parada rarely serves as a primary ballcarrier, but he knows how to create space for himself and is absolutely lethal with the ball in his hands. He combines sneaky agility and speed with an arm strong enough to make the passes and shots he needs. Many a defense has underestimated Parada, and many a defense has found itself torn apart. He is also quietly one of the game's best minds and will bring an incredible amount to Vancouver, both on the pitch and on the sidelines.

Midwest

Ashley Calhoun, Beater,
Central Michigan University

Ashley Calhoun is known for two things: her distinct leg braces and her physicality on pitch. Combining her cannon arm and phenomenal positioning, Calhoun makes her (very vocal) presence known on pitch. Having been a focal point in CMU's rise to prominence on a national stage, this former Centaur captain will bring excellent field play, personality and a winning background to Team USA.

Photo by Leslie Bartsch

Sam Roitblat, Seeker, Bowling Green State University

Photo by Leslie Bartsch

Sam "Sunshine" Roitblat has quietly been one of the game's most elite seekers these past two years. When pinned head-to-head against the game's top tier seekers such as Keir Rudolph, Steve DiCarlo, David Moyer and, fellow Team USA member, Harry Greenhouse, Roitblat has prevailed. Roitblat does not use strength or a long wingspan to grab snitches, but instead uses his insane drive. When he wants a snitch badly enough, he has a deep arsenal of tricks such as between the legs grabs, hand fakes and being able to contort his body mid-air to allow him to make clutch pull after clutch pull. Roitblat will be a huge asset to Team USA as it goes for gold.

Northeast
Kedzie Teller, Chaser, QC Boston: the Massacre

Photo by /IQA Staff

Kedize Teller is making his second appearance for Team USA and will be one of the most experienced members of the squad. Teller started his career with Boston University all the way back in the fall of 2009, helping to lead the team to a pair of regional titles with his token speed and strength. After graduating and taking a year away from quidditch, he displayed his dedication to the sport, working tirelessly to co-found QC Boston: the Massacre and mold them into a contender. A leader both on and off the pitch, Teller has developed countless new players while also leading by example, with his effort, physicality and speed in transition. His will never diminishes, and Teller will be ready to set the tone yet again in Vancouver.

Stephen Bell, Keeper, LSQC

The speed, the vertical, the hair! Another member of the University of Texas WCVI team, Stephen Bell’s field vision, pin-point passing, accurate shots and blocking ability was integral on the team’s run to the championship. Now a member and captain of Lone Star Quidditch Club, Bell’s skills continue to impress, if not improve. With the uncanny ability to create a connection with any passing option, he will seamlessly create a cohesive offense for Team USA and his leadership from the keeper zone will insure an organized and impassable defense.

Photo by Isabella Gong/IQA Staff

Drew Wasikowski, Chaser, Texas A&M University

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When you think of Texas A&M’s quidditch team, you think of Drew Wasikowski. Head coach for two years, captain for three, Wasikowski has led the powerhouse team to countless tournament victories and two World Cup semifinals. Whether it’s 6 am workouts or tournament directing, Wasikowski leads by action, showing dedication to his team and the sport that is unparalleled. On the pitch, he is able to control the flow of the game as ball carrier on offense, taking shots or looking for the pass, and then step up as point defender on the other side of the pitch. His skill, leadership and dedication made him an obvious choice to represent Team USA.

Becca DuPont, Chaser, Texas A&M

Aggressive as they come, Becca DuPont has been indispensable to Texas A&M during its two World Cup semifinal runs as well as its long-standing reputation as one of the best teams. Willing to do anything for her team, DuPont often finds herself fighting for a loose quaffle or putting her body on the line to make a defensive stop. On offense, however, her style is more finesse. She is able to perfectly position herself for a pass or alley-oop and with sure hands is able to guide the quaffle through the goal. Serving as captain of her team as well as Southwest regional director, it’s obvious her dedication goes further than the hard boundary and will continue to serve her well on Team USA.

Photo by Sue Decker

Kenny Chilton, Chaser, University of Texas

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This two-time World Cup Champion does it all. Chaser, seeker and beater, right-handed or left-handed; Kenny Chilton has worn a lot of headbands for the University of Texas team, including taking on the role of co-captain for the Longhorns this past year. Whether it’s grabbing the championship-winning snitch or running for an alley-oop behind the hoops, Chilton can step into any role on the pitch. This sort of versatility has proven him to be an excellent and winning choice for any fantasy team. It will be no different on Team USA where his teammates can rely on Chilton to be a leader on the pitch, make key tackles, dish excellent passes and open up for goals… maybe even catch a snitch or two.

Audrey Wright, Chaser, University of Texas

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If you think her legs and arms are impressive, you should see the way she uses them. A chaser for the University of Texas team, Audrey Wright helped the Longhorns muscle their way to two World Cup championships. She is a strong defensive force, able to break up a pass or bring down a player at will. On offense, her spatial awareness and field vision helps her to always be in the Wright position for a quick pass and goal. Not to discredit her ability to drive through defenders, which she can do just as well. Wright will bring a certain toughness and tenacity to the line-up that will end opponents’ drives and finish Team USA’s.

Eric Reyes, Chaser, Texas State

Photo by Isabella Gong/IQA Staff

Eric Reyes is a prime example of the power chasing of the Southwest, and after Texas State’s run to the finals at WCVII, everybody understands what that means. In Reyes’ case, it means the ability to block bludgers with ease, truck through entire defenses and still be standing at the end of the drive to put the quaffle through the hoop. And with this ability, Reyes provides Team USA with a very powerful weapon to add to their arsenal. As a leader of the Texas State team, he has also fulfilled the role as point defender, pass option and seeker; roles that he would gladly take on should his country require it of him.

West
Kyrie Timbrook, Beater, Silicon Valley Skrewts

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Kyrie Timbrook is among the most intimidating beaters to ever play the sport. A former collegiate softball All-American, Timbrook possesses all of the requisite skills necessary to be a dominating force on the pitch: a cannon arm that she uses to snipe chasers from range; the strength and aggression to tackle opposing beaters; and the speed and quickness to chase after loose bludgers. However, what Timbrook is most known for is her communication. When one watches a Skrewts game, they can rest assured that they’ll hear Kyrie’s commanding voice directing traffic and keeping her team functioning as an efficient unit throughout the game. Timbrook makes every beater who plays with her better, and she will have this same impact as a member of Team USA.

Brandon Scapa, Chaser,
University of California Los Angeles

Photo by /IQA Staf

UCLA’s quidditch program has historically been known for two things: its beating and an offensive system predicated on fluid ball movement. Brandon Scapa, the captain of the World Cup VI runners-up, has flown under the radar as the catalytic cog that makes the Bruin offense function. A 100% team-first player, Scapa does all of the little things that often go unnoticed to the untrained eye to set his teammates up for glory, such as setting screens, manipulating opposing defenses through his off-ball positioning in the offensive zone, making smart passes to keep possessions alive and making precise, calculated cuts through windows in the defense for one-touch goals. He is also a fearless defender and skilled tackler. Team USA needs skilled support players to ensure offensive efficiency, and Scapa is among the sport’s best. 

Tony Rodriguez, Keeper, Lost Boys Quidditch Club

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Tony Rodriguez needs no introduction, but you’re going to get one anyway. Arguably the biggest reason for the Lost Boys going from the outhouse to the penthouse last season, Rodriguez is one of the sport’s best and most entertaining players. Rodriguez is, flat out, a showman. Whether it’s doing a little dance after dishing off a no-look assist to a teammate, adding a little extra flavor to a dunk or putting his broom in his mouth like a dog bone when he runs back to his hoops after being beat, you’re guaranteed to get your money’s worth when you see him set foot on the pitch. But what’s the best part of his posturing? The fact that he can back it up. He can block shots. He can tackle. He can drive. He can dunk. He can shoot... AND HE CAN PASS (if you don’t get that reference, look it up)! Rodriguez is a jack of all trades and a master of all of them just the same. He is a relentless competitor who refuses to accept defeat and will share the competitive fire that burns within his heart with the rest of Team USA. 

Chris Seto, Beater, Lost Boys Quidditch Club

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Formerly a quaffle player for Emerson College, Chris Seto found his true calling when he made the switch to beater as a member of the fledgling Lost Boys. Seto is an opposing beater’s worst nightmare. On the offensive end, Seto is extremely efficient at regaining bludger control or creating driving lanes for his ballcarrier, be it through sneaky, crafty means; winning a one-on-one shootout; or surprising unsuspecting beaters with a tackle. Defensively, his general athleticism, quidditch IQ and quick release allow him to singlehandedly cover the entire defensive zone without getting out of position, making him as effective with one bludger as most teams are with two. Seto has been a defensive dynamo for the Lost Boys and looks to be just as effective for Team USA

Zach Luce, Keeper, UCLA

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After putting on an absolute show against the University of Texas in the World Cup VI finals, Zach Luce’s name instantly began to be tossed around alongside the top keepers in the game. Luce’s body movements are extremely unorthodox and unique, making it difficult for even the game’s most elite defenders to shut him down once he decides to attack the hoops. He effortlessly slips and ducks out of tackle attempts, leaving defenders who thought they were wrapping his torso left with nothing in their hands but air and fabric. What’s most dangerous about Luce, however, is that he only needs to penetrate a few yards into the zone before he can start racking up goals. His shot is devastating from both long and midrange, and he will frequently drain it suddenly while in the middle of a drive. Luce can also use his arm to distribute the ball to his teammates from all angles, making him a dangerously unique ballcarrier for Team USA. 

Alternates
Keeper: Alex Browne, Augustine Monroe, Brendan Stack
Chaser: Andrew Axtell, Dan Daugherty, Aryan Ghoddosy, Vanessa Goh, Kifer Gregoire, Sam Haimowitz, Erin Mallory, Beto Natera, Michael Powell, Devin Sandon, Meredith Taylor
Beaters: Daniel DePaula, Julie Fritz, Peter Lee, Alexander Leitch, Melinda Staup
Seeker:  Margo Aleman, Andrew Zagelbaum

Vanessa Goh and Augustine Monroe both requested to only be eligible for the alternate's list.