2013 U.S. Paralympics Swimming National Team named

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — U.S. Paralympics, a division of the United States Olympic Committee, announced today that 16 athletes, including eight gold medalists from the London 2012 Paralympic Games, have been named to the 2013 U.S. Paralympics Swimming National A Team. An additional five athletes have been named to the National B Team.

“We are hoping to see the number of athletes who make both the national team and emerging team grow toward the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, plus increase the number of developmental athletes we identify,” said Queenie Nichols, high performance director for U.S. Paralympics swimming. “We plan to have several emerging and developmental camps across the country to help increase the strength of Team USA over the next four years.”

Team USA had 18 swimmers win a combined 41 medals at the 2012 London Paralympic Games. Four female athletes, including U.S. Paralympic SportsWoman of the Year Jessica Long (Baltimore, Md.), took home gold medals while four male swimmers also won gold.

“Many of our national team athletes are returning,” Nichols said. “We are excited to see how the athletes that were new to the London Games perform this season.”

Long was the most decorated U.S. swimmer at the Games, collecting eight medals in nine events.

Victoria Arlen (Exeter, N.H.), Kelley Becherer (Boston, Mass.), Lantz Lamback (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Ian Silverman (Baltimore, Md.), Brad Snyder (St. Petersburg, Fla.), Mallory Weggemann (Eagan, Minn.) and Justin Zook (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) also won individual gold medals.

Team USA begins the 2013 season April 4-6 in Minneapolis, Minn., with the CanAm Championships. In that event, athletes will compete for spots at the International Paralympic Committee Swimming World Championships, slated for August in Canada.

Additional athletes may be added to the National A or B Teams throughout the season.

For the Full List of 2013 U.S. Paralympics Swimming National Team visit: http://e2.ma/message/3p0fg/jui54f

For more information, please contact Jamie Blanchard, U.S. Paralympics, at 719-866-2068 or jamie.blanchard@usoc.org.