By McKenna Ehrmantraut, Swimming World College Intern.
Over 400 athletes from across the country are competing in the swimming events at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way, Washington. One swimmer in particular, Emily Miller, is shining this week at the 2018 USA Special Olympics Games. Miller kicked off the week by taking the gold in the 25m backstroke in the F06 division, and she held her ground by snagging fifth place in the 25m free in the F02 division this past Tuesday.
The Rhode Island Team
Miller is competing for the Rhode Island swim team along with her teammates Rachel Rasnick, North Infante and Ryan Fleming. The team competes year-round and danced for joy when they qualified for the Special Olympics team. The Rhode Island team may be small, but they are showing up big by having all captured a medal in each of their events. Rasnick placed second in the 50m breaststroke in the F04 division, while Infante placed second in the 200m IM for the MO3 division. Fleming snagged third in the 100m IM for the M01 division.
Miller in the Spotlight
The Games have been a dream come true for Miller, who has been swimming since she was eight years old. Back then, she was a bit anxious about the pool but has slowly learned to love it. Her love for the sport has paid off in more than medals.
Miller, now 30, and is still enjoying every minute of the competition. She is smiling before and after all of her races, giving high fives to all of her competitors, and leaping for joy when handed her gold medal for a time of 36.14 in the 25 meter backstroke. Miller says, “I like the backstroke and freestyle but my favorite races are the relays.”
Photo Courtesy: Beverly Miller
Miller had family from across the nation fly in to see her achieve what can arguably be one of the greatest experience of her life. Her family and friends have had a great time cheering her on with huge cut-out faces of Miller that they wave during her races.
Watch Miller accept her gold medal in style in the video below!
Home Life
Back home in Rhode Island, Miller spends her free time working at Walmart and hanging out with one of her friends and neighbor, Olympic Medalist and team captain Elizabeth Beisel. The two will have a lot to catch up on when Miller returns to Rhode Island with her gold medal.
Closing Ceremonies
Be on the lookout for the closing events tomorrow by checking out the competition schedule below. All times are listed in Pacific Daylight Time.
JULY 6
- 8:00am – 9:04am Awards Session 11 King County Aquatic Center
- 9:10am – 9:30am 4×100 Medley Relay Direct Final
- 9:30am – 9:45am 800M Freestyle Male Direct Final
- 9:45am – 10:15am 50M Backstroke Male Direct Final
- 10:15am – 10:45am 50M Backstroke Female Direct Final
- 10:55am – 11:00am 25M Breaststroke Male Direct Final
- 11:00am – 11:05am 25M Breaststroke Female Direct Final
- 11:10am – 11:20am 4×100 Free Relay Male Direct Final
- 12:30pm – 2:06pm Awards Session 12 King County Aquatic Center
Such a wonderful story.
So proud of this talented lady, and how lucky she is to have such a cheering section! This is a shoe case moment! CONGRATULATIONS!??♀️❤️
SO proud of you Emily !!!!
#EmilyMillerGold very proud of you Em, you represented little Rhode Island well!
Emily Miller! We KNEW you would be spectacular!
Congratulations from the Johnson Family!
Brian, Kelly and Jane❤️❤️❤️
Sweet Emily!! We knew you’d bring home the gold, didn’t we? There was no doubt. I’m so incredibly happy for you! Can’t wait to see you and congratulate you in person!
Emily! So proud of you!You go girl! You rocked this! Love Brenda
Congratulations Emily. You are awesome!
You go Em!!! So proud of your accomplishments!❤️????❤️