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The Junior Division Elects Elliston as New President and Re-Elects Winterstein and Hoskins

By NWBA Team, 08/03/19, 10:30AM CDT

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AKRON, OHIO - Lisa Elliston has been elected as the fourth President in Junior Division history during the 2019 NWBA Junior Division Annual Meeting.  Elliston has been the 1st Vice President of the Junior Division Executive Committee since 2017.  She co-founded the Mississippi Wheelcats so her son Jonathan would have a place to play.  Jonathan, a recent graduate of the Junior Division, is headed to the College Division and the University of Illinois.

Elliston stated, "I'm so honored, humbled, and excited to represent the Junior Division. We have a lot of work to do and I am grateful for the ground work that was done in the past. I look forward to more communication and working together with our members and the NWBA." 

Diane Winterstein returns for another three-year term as 2nd Vice President.  Diane coached many future Paralympians as a coach for the Sterling Heights Challengers.  She now coaches the Motor City Wheelz and is lovingly known as “Queen of the Banquet”.

Emily Hoskins started her wheelchair basketball career as a member of the St. Louis Rolling Rams in the Junior Division.  She returns for another term as the At Large Member on the Junior Division Executive Committee.  Emily has two Paralympic gold medals on her resume as well as multiple championships in the NWBA Women’s Division and Junior Division.  Emily currently coaches the Music City Thunder in the Junior Division. 

Chris Rathje, outgoing President of the NWBA, thanks the Junior Division for the opportunity.

"It has been an honor to serve the Junior Division for the last six years. Thank you for the opportunity," he said. "To all the Junior Division kids: there are so many possibilities in the world. Keep dreaming, keep believing and keep being diligent in your pursuits. Life can be a roller coaster, but your dreams can come true." 

Mike Bauler, the commissioner of the Junior Division, expresses positive remarks about Rathje and Elliston.

"Chris served the Junior Division with boundless energy and positivity. He truly embodies the spirit of Dr. Nugent, leading the Junior Division to adopt classification and create equitable participation for all student-athletes," he said. "I am excited for our incoming President, Lisa Elliston. Lisa has a wealth of experience in fundraising and communication, both of which are critical for the long term success of the Junior Division." 

Bauler thanks the membership that participated in the 2019 NWBA Junior Division Annual Meeting and said he is excited for the upcoming season and to see those on the road to Wichita.