By McKenna Ehrmantraut, Swimming World College Intern.
The 2018 Special Olympics USA Games came to a close Friday, July 6, in Seattle, Wash. The swimming portion of the Games were filled with fierce competitions and exceptional swims. All of the athletes who competed showcased their love for the sport as they swam their hearts out competing for their respective states. Here are a few highlights from the King Country Aquatic Center.
Day 1 – Monday, July 2
The New Jersey co-ed team consisting of Margo Lee, Tracy Musarra, Jason Pelletier and Michael Lehrer took home the win in the 4×25 medley relay M02 with a time of 1:40.52.
As one of the youngest swimmers competing, Jolina Harris of Nevada captured the gold in the women’s 200 freestyle F02 with a time of 3:33.42. This twelve-year-old’s nickname of JoJo means “flying fish” in her family’s native language of the Marshall Islands.
Photo Courtesy: Alika Jenner
Day 2 – Tuesday, July 3
Colorado swimmer Nicholas Schreiber, 25, won the men’s 100 backstroke M04 with a time of 1:33.38.
The gold in the men’s 200 IM M02 went to Jordan Hastie, 22, from Northern California with a time of 3:00.03.
Day 3 – Wednesday, July 4
The Kentucky co-ed of Cassandra Wright, Megan McCormick, Hunter Eudy and Justin Hale won the 4×50 medley relay M02 with a time of 3:22.20.
Maxwell Reynolds, 18, from Arizona snagged the gold in the men’s 100 freestyle M10 with a time of 1:05.04.
Photo Courtesy: Special Olympics USA Games
Day 4 – Thursday, July 5
Minnesota swimmer Sarah Haugen, 19, captured the gold in the women’s 400 free F03 with a time of 5:57.98.
Kathleen Rogan, 43, of New York took first in the women’s 200 breaststroke F01 in a time of 5:19.44.
The winner of the women’s 100 fly F03 was Texas swimmer Ashton Smith, 32, with a time of 1:38.40.
Day 5 – Friday, July 6
Florida captured the gold in the mixed 4×100 free relay M03 with a time of 1:41.86. The team consisted of Morgan Vandenberg, Leah Scheible, Ian Soules and Richard Scott.
Curtis Herbold, 30, took first place for Missouri in the men’s 25 breaststroke M02 with a time of 22.68.
Until Next Time
You won’t have to wait too long until the next Special Olympics competition, only this time, athletes will come from all over the globe. The 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games will be held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, from March 14 to 21. This will be the largest humanitarian sporting event of the year, attracting an estimated 7,000 athletes and 500,000 spectators.
More information on the USA Games and a complete list of the final individual and relay results can be found at www.specialolympicsusagames.org/swimming-schedule/ .
Congratulations to everyone