Texas Stampede Advances to National Title Rematch Despite Split Day in Tampa

Tampa, FL – May 2, 2025

The Texas Stampede continued their strong run at the 2025 USWRA National Championships in Tampa, Florida, with a crucial 3–0 record on day one that set up a high-stakes showdown Saturday morning against the Lakeshore Demolition. Lakeshore, led by USA Wheelchair Rugby high-pointer Zion Redington and former Team USA standout Delvin McMillian presented a major obstacle for Texas in their quest to reach the national title game. Coach Gabriel Garcia stayed with his trusted starting lineup—dubbed the “Four Horsemen”—featuring Sebastian Verdin, Alejandro Pabon, Bryan Kirkland, and Earl Bowser. The Stampede came out locked in, responding to the pressure with early goals by Verdin and Pabon and a defensive clinic by Kirkland, who was later named Player of the Game. By the end of the first quarter, Texas had stormed to a commanding 23–13 lead.

Recognizing the momentum, Coach Garcia made a pivotal move and inserted the Stampede’s “fifth man,” Daniel Curtis, into the game. Known as a versatile utility player, Curtis made the most of his moment, delivering key screens, savvy assists, and helping Texas extend its lead. His energy and timing were critical as the Stampede widened the gap to 36–24 by halftime. “Curtis has been a jack of all trades for us this season,” said Coach Garcia. “He does the little things that don’t always show up in the stat sheet, but they help us win games.”

Texas kept its foot on the gas through the second half with major contributions from bench players Jared Compton and Liz Dunn. Compton added five points of his own, while Dunn logged significant minutes that helped maintain the tempo and structure on both ends of the court. The Stampede never let Lakeshore back in, closing out an emphatic 68–42 victory. “We had a good game against Lakeshore,” Garcia commented. “However, not the game I wanted this morning. We kind of lost our focus at times. We look forward to tightening things up before the championship.”

After a short break, the Stampede returned to action against WWAR—the tournament’s host team and defending national champions from 2024. What followed was an instant classic. The battle between two of the sport’s top teams featured elite-level wheelchair rugby from the opening tip. WWAR, led by Paralympic veterans Anthony McDaniel and Chuck Melton, pressured Texas early, forcing a handful of turnovers while also struggling with their own miscues. By the end of the first quarter, the match was deadlocked at 13–13, setting the tone for a dogfight.

Looking to shift momentum, Coach Garcia turned to his bench. Michael Shockerbauer delivered with multiple assists and timely defensive plays, while Josh Smith added key physicality. But WWAR countered with a game-changing substitution of their own, bringing in British import Stuart Robinson. His court vision and aggressive pace helped Tampa close the half on a strong note, holding a narrow 26–23 lead over Texas.

In the second half, Texas made several tactical adjustments—switching inbound formations and altering their defensive fronts—but WWAR’s balance and speed proved difficult to contain. The third quarter saw the host team stretch their lead to five, capitalizing on turnovers and maintaining composure under pressure. Coach Garcia used the rest of the half to test his full bench, looking for combinations that could deliver under duress—not just for this game, but with the looming championship rematch in mind. In the end, WWAR claimed a 55–43 victory. “We had an up-and-down day as a team,” Garcia admitted. “We’re looking to rebound and are focused on our opportunity to play in the championship game.”

Despite the loss, the Stampede’s strong early performance on day one and their decisive victory over Lakeshore punched their ticket to Sunday’s national title game. Tomorrow’s rematch between Texas and WWAR promises to be a thrilling conclusion to an incredible tournament. Fans are encouraged to tune in for live results, streaming, and updates on board elections at www.fearthesteer.org