U.S. Paralympics Announces Parapan American Games Swimming Roster

Photo Courtesy: FINIS

COLORADO SPRINGS – Twenty athletes were announced today by U.S. Paralympics, a division of the United States Olympic Committee, to the U.S. swimming team roster for the 2015 Parapan American Games, held Aug. 7-15 in Toronto.

With 13 female and seven male swimmers, the U.S. roster is highlighted by five Paralympians and four athletes who have competed at past world championships. Athletes will bring a breadth of experience with swimmers like 12-year-old Nelya Schasfoort (Avon Lake, Ohio) making her first Parapan Am appearance and five-time Paralympian, Curtis Lovejoy (Atlanta, Georgia) at age 57.

Representing Team USA at their first international competition are four newcomers—McClain Hermes (Dacula, Georgia), Schasfoort, Casandra Shaffer (Bend, Oregon) and Zachary Shattuck (Mt. Airy, Maryland).

“This is a very strong team we’re sending to the Parapan Am Games,” said Queenie Nichols, high performance director of U.S. Paralympics swimming. “We have several young swimmers we’re excited to see start to emerge on the international scene. This summer will be a great opportunity for them to learn from our seasoned swimmers and experience their first international meet.”

Swimming events at the 2015 Parapan American Games will take place from Aug. 8-14 at the CBC Pan Am/Parapan Am Aquatics Centre and Field House, also known as the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre. The event will be the fifth edition of the Parapan Am Games and will feature 1,608 athletes from 28 countries competing in 15 sports.

At the 2011 Parapan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, the U.S. Paralympics Swimming Team won a total of 24 medals to finish third in the medal standings behind Brazil (first) and Mexico (second).

U.S. Paralympics Swimming Team roster for the 2015 Parapan American Games:
*denotes U.S. Paralympian

Name Hometown Classification
Women
Haley Beranbaum Snohomish, Wash. S5/SB5/SM5
Reilly Boyt Ft. Collins, Colo. S6/SB6/SM6
Leslie Cichocki Palos Hills, Ill. S14/SB14/SM14
McClain Hermes Dacula, Ga. S12/SB12/SM12
Sophia Herzog Fairplay, Colo. S6/SB6/SM6
Anna Johannes* Alexandria, Va. S9/SB8/SM9
Serafina King Santa Monica, Calif. S10/NE/NE
Ahalya Lettenberger Glen Ellyn, Ill. S8/SB7/SM8
Nelya Schasfoort Avon Lake, Ohio S7/SB7/SM7
Casandra Shaffer Bend, Ore. S6/SB6/SM6
Natalie Sims Minneapolis, Minn. S9/SB9/SM9
Mallory Weggemann* Eagan, Minn. S8/SB7/SM9
Kayla Wheeler Lynnwood, Wash. S2/SB1/SM2

Men
Blake Adams Lakeville, Minn. S13/SB13/SM13
Evan Austin* Terre Haute, Ind. S8/SB7/SM8
Curtis Lovejoy* Atlanta, Ga. S2/SB1/SM2
Lucas McCrory Chapel Hill, N.C. S7/SB7/SM7
Tom Miazga* Cedarburg, Wis. S8/SB7/SM8
Roderick Sewell Florence, Ala. S8/SB6/SM8
Zachary Shattuck Mt. Airy, Md. S6/SB6/SM6

The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World. To reach our audience, contact us at newsmaster@swimmingworl d .com.

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use