The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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  • Adam Drummer wound up to pitch during play in the Minnesota State Horseshoe Tournament at Verizon Wireless Center. The Mankatoan is thought to be the only wheelchair-using horseshoe competitor in the state. Pat Christman

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  • Adam Drummer, 24, was paralyzed below the waist during surgery six years ago. Pat Christman

    Wheelchair horseshoes3.jpg

September 5, 2010

Pitching horseshoes from a wheelchair

He can play sitting down — and has to

By Brian Ojanpa Free Press Staff Writer

MANKATO — Adam Drummer’s horseshoe-pitching technique is all arm — not by design but by necessity.

The 24-year-old Mankatoan, thought to be the sole wheelchair-using horseshoe player in Minnesota, generates enough power to throw by swinging his free arm backward as his throwing arm comes forward and simultaneously snapping his torso sideward to produce torque.

He was among the many competitors at the 2010 Minnesota State Horseshoe Tournament ending today at Verizon Wireless Center and also had the ceremonial honor of throwing out the first shoe on Friday.

Not bad for a guy who reluctantly took up the sport earlier this year and had to overcome the type of logistical glitches inherent in pitching from a seated position.

“At first he scraped his knuckles on the ground, and he even fell backwards in his chair,” said Christine Zuehlke, who, with husband Steve, turned Drummer on to the sport.

“They’d been playing for a few years and wanted me to give it a try,” said Drummer, who began using a wheelchair six years ago.

Drummer was born with scoliosis and said that during surgery to correct a curvature of his spine something went wrong and he became paralyzed from the waist down.

The Zuehlkes belong to the North Mankato Horseshoe Club and soon Drummer was slinging alongside more than 100 fellow pitchers and playing in a league on Thursday nights.

How’s his game?

“I had a higher average earlier, but now it’s tapered off,” he said as he prepared to pitch in the first of five of his state tourney games.

Drummer competed in the Elders division, which allows him to throw from 30 feet instead of the customary 40 feet. He acquitted himself well despite having to compete in the most games he’s ever played in one session.

At one point Zuehlke came out of the stands to give Drummer some sideline encouragement.

“He didn’t want to play at first, but now he loves it.”

Moments later she laughingly repeated herself.

“He said he’s coming back next year, so we know he doesn’t hate it.”

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