“The training I have been doing is really paying off, I felt good going in to the pool and I was pushed by my competition,” said Stockwell. “I have unbelievable support, but I still have to keep my focus for the remainder of the competition. I feel relaxed and settled in to do well in the competition.”
U.S. Paralympics Swimming head coach Jimi Flowers (Colorado Springs, Colo.) said he was amazed by his athletes and that Stockwell set the tone for the team and competition. “Melissa (Stockwell) set the tone for the rest of the team by her integrity, sacrifice and striving for what she wanted,” said Flowers. “The success is contagious and hopefully it will carry for the rest of the meet. The hard work is paying off and I am truly proud of them.”
Additional U.S. highlights of Day One included a new world record set by Susan Beth Scott (Cape Girardeau, Missouri ) with a time of 4:40.10 in the Women’s 400m freestyle (S10) and Colorado Springs, Colo. resident Lantz Lamback securing a new American record in the Men’s 400m freestyle (S7) with a time of 5:03.42. Joe Wise (Menlo Park, Calif.) earned the American record in the Men’s 400m freestyle (S10) with a time of 4:24.92.
Based on performances posted at the U.S. Paralympics Swimming Trials, U.S. Paralympics is expected to nominate 38 athletes (20 male and 18 female) to the team Sunday, April 6, 2008. Day two of competition on Friday will start with preliminaries at 9:00 a.m. central, with finals starting at 5:00 p.m.
