Last Weekend's Grand Prix

First off, I want to elaborate on some facts I learned and events that took place at the 2009 Minnesota Grand Prix Swim Meet. I learned that the Minnesota LSC made the decision some time ago to make sure any disabled person that wanted to participate in any meet would be allowed to do so. We had a number of disabled swimmers competing in the events this past weekend. I was performing Stroke & Turn on Lanes 1-4, and after the start of a heat, I noticed the swimmer coming toward me had a awkward style. Turned out he was missing 2/3rd of his left arm and 2/3rd of his left leg. Alex Dionne, an 18 year old swimming with the Twin Cities swim club was competing in the 100 Butterfly and swam it in 1:14.33. Turns out he is an American Record holder and set more records at Last Weekend’s Grand Prix Meet. I watched him set a new Disabled Swimmer American Record in the 1650 Freestyle (yes that is the mile, swam with one arm and one leg) in 19:43.37. Each evening we had an all Disabled heat (Friday was 100 Butterfly) to start the evening. In that heat 20 year old Mallory Weggemann set a new American Record of 1:14.89. More remarkable is that she set it at the peak of her training for the World Disabled Swimming Championships in Brazil in a few weeks. She starts her taper next week which means she should be scary fast. Read this story and watch this video from the Friday Evening news in the Twin Cities.

http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=828422


Mallory was awarded Disabled Swimmer of the Year from USA Swimming on Saturday night and the Twin Cities Swim Club Coach Jim Anderson was awarded Disability Swimming Coach of the Year. They both came and spoke to us at our Official’s Pre-meet meeting Sunday morning. They talked about how being included in the Grand Prix events meant so much to them. That their disabled swim meets are usually pretty small, and it was so motivating to be swimming in front of a crowd. Mallory was a swimmer prior to the loss of her legs, and thought she was done with that part of her life. A friend talked her into visiting the Twin Cities Swim Club and meeting with Jim. She thought she was safe not having any gear with her, but her friend had a suit, cap and goggles for her to use. Mallory’s Father was petrified. That even after having watched Mallory compete prior to her disability, he was worried she would sink like a rock. Mallory hit the water, started swimming and she hasn’t stopped. She has a wonderful story to tell about how swimming has pushed boundaries for her and it can for others too, if they just give it a try. It was quite a moment listening to her talk about her life now. The six or so disabled swimmers we had at the meet competing were really excited about being there and I felt good being able to be a part of that making that happen.