Tye Dutcher, US Paralympians Set 12 American Records

Tye Dutcher
Tye Dutcher. Photo Courtesy: Dan D'Addona

By Dan D’Addona.

ZEELAND, Mich. — Tye Dutcher has accomplished a lot in the pool.

He qualified for the 2016 Paralympics in Rio and has become a member of the U.S. Paralympic Resident Team.

This weekend, his speed in the water reached a new level. Dutcher set an American Paralympic record in the 50-yard butterfly (27.44) at a USA meet Saturday and Sunday in Zeeland, Michigan.

“It was my first record. It is pretty cool. I have been through a lot in my life, losing my foot when I was 11 years old. I never gave up. It is the same thing with the rest of these athletes. We have a constantly positive attitude. We don’t give up,” Dutcher said. “Everyone says we are inspirations, but meets like this show what the Paralympics are all about.”

Dutcher lost his right foot at age 11 in an accident involving a riding lawn mower.

“I was in a (riding) lawn mower accident when I was 11 years old. I was sneaking up on my dad with a rubber band gun and wanted to shoot him for fun. He put it in reverse and I stumbled to the ground and (lost) my right foot. The story just unfolds from there. But the first thing told my mom after my first surgery was that I knew this happened for a reason,” he said.

That reason is clear to Dutcher, now, to be a Paralympian and inspiration to others. He competed in Rio.

“Everyone says we are inspirations, but meets like this show what the Paralympics are all about. It is incredible to see the work of God through us and what he is doing in our lives,” he said. “Rio was an amazing experience. That was pretty intense. It was actually my first international competition. I didn’t medal but I don’t think it was about that. It was about going and getting the experience and really seeing what the Paralympics is all about. I got to see so many incredible athletes get the golds for Team USA. It was truly an honor to achieve the dream of being able to represent my country.”

Now he is an American record holder at a meet that was set up with prelims and finals, giving the Paralympians a chance to race against swimmers of all abilities.

“We were all equals at this meet. It was a really neat opportunity for us. That was one of my favorite moments as an athlete, getting the chance to race with the able-bodied kids. It is was amazing to see the crowd get the energy that they had. They looked at us as athletes, not different kids. That was amazing,” said Tharon Drake, a medalist in Rio. “I was really surprised and really happy with all the times. Rio was a great experience, but I took some time off and enjoyed life outside swimming a little bit. Now I am back in the pool. It was great to see the people here in Michigan come out and support us the way they did. It was awesome.”

The U.S. Paralympic team set 12 American records during the weekend at Zeeland. Records are based on different levels of ability.

Drake set an American record in the 100 breaststroke (1:06.06). He also set marks in the 50 breaststroke (30.21) and 200 freestyle (2:04.83). Tyler Austin set an American record in the 100 breaststroke (1:14.37).

In the women’s meet, Letticia Martinez set records in the 50 backstroke (40.67) and 50 butterfly (32.96) on Sunday. She also set the mark in the 50 freestyle (29.86), 50 breaststroke (44.55) and 100 butterfly (1:18.11) on Saturday. Samantha Tubbs set a record in the100 breaststroke (1:16.47).

“I was very surprised because I am not really a backstroke and haven’t done much short course — and I took some time off after Rio. I was definitely not in shape. It was just a fun meet and it was exciting that I was able to form like that,” said Martinez, who competed in Rio. “Not a lot of people know a lot about the Paralympics, they confuse us with the Special Olympics, which is a great organization, but we are different. We train as hard as the Olympians and it is time to show everyone how hard we work. You can still accomplish your dreams whether you have the same abilities or not.”

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Matt Pawlick
7 years ago

It was great being at the meet with my team & having members of the Paralympic Team there competing. Very impressive to see the records falling.

Thomas A. Small
7 years ago

Congratulations Tye

Julie Austin
Julie Austin
7 years ago

Thanks to Team USA for coming to this fun meet. The kids are STILL talking about it!

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