Disability Swimming Roundup
IBSA World Disability Swimming Championships
Five USA swimmers competed at the IBSA World Swimming Championships held in Quebec City from August 5-10, 2003.
Representing the USA were Ashley Nashleanas (S11, Hinton-Iowa), Doug Powell (S12, Falls Church-VA), Carrie Willoughby (S13, Atlanta-GA), Tiffanie Wright (S13, Redding-CA) and Jennifer Butcher (S13, Portland-OR).
The group set 3 American Records: Doug Powell – S12 Men's 200 breaststroke; Tiffanie Wright – S13 Women's 200 freestyle; and Ashley Nashleanas – S11 Women's 200 backstroke.
They won 5 silver medals and 3 bronze medals during the six days of competition. Medal winners included: Jen Butcher (Silver 100 back and 50 free), Carrie Willoughby (Bronze-100 fly), Tiffanie Wright (Silver-200 free and 200 back, Bronze-50 free), and Ashley Nashleanas (Silver-200 back and Bronze-400 free).
Central Zone Champs
Seven swimmers with disabilities competed at the Central Zone meet in Indy last weekend. Representing Illinois were: Lily Corona, age 10; Gina DeBenedetti, age 9; Jen Durrant, age 17; and Malorie Grennan, age 15.
Representing Lake Erie was Joel White, age 16. Wisconsin was represented by Alex Dionne, age 12 and Jessica Weeden, age 11.
Jen Durrant set new S9 American Records in both the 100m and 200m backstroke. Alex Dionne set a new American Record in the S7 100m fly. The other swimmers all swam well and improved their seed times.
This was the final year of a two year pilot program of inclusion for swimmers with disabilities in the Central Zone meet. The future of the swimmers' inclusion will be discussed at the USAS Convention in San Diego in September. Other Zones are also considering such inclusion programs in the future.
U.S. Paralympics Moving
U.S. Paralympics is moving to the USOC campus this week. Here is the new contact information for Julie O'Neill, Swimming's National Program Manager:
Julie O'Neill
U.S. Paralympics
Swimming National Program Manager
One Olympic Plaza
Colorado Springs, CO 80909
Phone: 719-866-2036
Fax: 719-866-4804
Email: julie.o'neill@usoc.org
Last Chance Meet
The "Last Chance" meet information is now available. The meet is November 29-30 in Indy and the cut times are the same as the Athens qualifying times. The meet is approved by IPC Swimming so the results will go into the rankings and hopefully translate into more slots for the USA in 2004.