The Chicago Force women's tackle football team is well represented on Team USA that will defend its gold medal at the 2013 Women's World Championship this summer in Finland, when the team is formally announced next week.
Nine Force players were selected for the team, plus two others as alternates. In addition, the Team USA head coach is John Konecki, who has the same role for the Force. He is assisted on Team USA by Force assistant Adam Lewandowski.
The U.S. won the inaugural International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Women's World Championship in 2010 in Stockholm, Sweden, defeating Canada in the gold medal game.
Tryouts for Team USA were held the last weekend of January in Austin, and more than 180 players from across the U.S. participated—45 were selected to the team, plus alternates at each position.
"Obviously the Force players performed extremely well at the tryouts, with nine making the roster and two others selected as alternates," said Force owner Linda Bache. "I couldn't be more proud of these players and the Force organization as a whole. It is a direct reflection of the Force coaching staff that our players were so well prepared to excel and shine amongst the top players in the country. These players now have the ultimate privilege for an athlete—the opportunity to represent their country in international competition."
The eight-nation Women's World Championship will be held in Vantaa, Finland, June 28-July 6.
Quarterback Sami Grisafe will get to throw internationally to two of her favorite Force targets as wide receivers Ashley Berggren and Jeanette Gray also are Finland-bound.
"I am particularly proud of Liz Okey and Tami Engelman, two players who had season-ending injuries in 2012," Bache said. "Both worked hard to rehab their injuries so that they could get back on the field this season for the Force and also have an opportunity to play for Team USA. Both players are very grateful to Athletico, which was instrumental in their recoveries, and has provided physical therapy and rehabilitation services to the Force since 2006."
Here is a list of the Chicago Force players selected to the 2013 Team USA :
Sami Grisafe, QB
Jamie Menzyk, OL
Tami Engelman, OL
Liz Okey, OL
Dawn Pederson, OL
Ashley Berggren, WR
Jeanette Gray, WR
Kim Marks, DL
Brandy Hatcher, RB
Chicago Force players selected as alternates:
Rebecca Thuestad, LB
Albi Zhubi, WR
