Paralympic swimmers break three world records at 2007 Summer Can-Am Championship

Three elite Paralympic athletes broke world records at the Summer Can-Am Championships held in Vancouver, British Columbia, July 14-16. Kelley Becherer (Sheboygan, Wis.) broke the world record in the S13 Women’s 50m backstroke with a time of 34.16. Ashley Owens (Stockbridge, Ga.) set a new world record in the S10 Women’s 200m freestyle with a time of 2:19.51 and Jarrett Perry (Wichita, Kan.) set a new record in the S9 Men’s 200m backstroke with a time of 2:18.55.

Three new athletes qualified for the U.S. Paralympics Swimming National Team: Tucker Dupree (Raleigh, N.C.), Alex Dionne (Mequon, Wis.) and Marin Morrison (Sammamish, Wash.). The U.S. swimming team captains for the Parapan American Games were also elected over the weekend. Beth Kolbe (Tiffin, Ohio) and Michael Prout (West Springfield, Mass.) were elected by their Parapan Am teammates.

“The U.S. athletes performed well during the competition,” U.S. Paralympics Swimming Head Coach Julie O’Neill said. “We had many young up and coming swimmers who posted outstanding performances which is great and bodes well for the team’s future performance.” Coming up in August, the U.S. Paralympic Swimming Team will be competing at the Parapan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 12-19.

About U.S. Paralympics: U.S. Paralympics, a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee, is dedicated to becoming the world leader in the Paralympic sports movement and to promoting excellence in the lives of persons with physical disabilities. Visit the U.S. Paralympics Web site at www.usparalympics.org.