Fast Lanes, Big Hikes, and a Side of  Pizookie: Aiden Stivers Is All In

“Don’t be scared to come and get to know me — or any Para swimmer or athlete!”  

Whether he’s powering through a breaststroke set or chatting poolside, Aiden Stivers brings a quiet confidence, a whole lot of heart and just the right dose of bubbly charm.  

His swim story starts the way many great ones do by tagging along with an older sibling. His sister was already a competitive swimmer, so naturally, Stivers found himself poolside, meet after meet, soaking it all in. By the time he was eight, he dove in and never looked back.  

He spent years competing in able-bodied swim meets before a coach in Franklin, Indiana, encouraged his team to look into Para swimming. That one suggestion changed everything. In May 2022, Stivers competed at his first meet at the Cincinnati Open where he promptly broke the American record in the 200-meter breaststroke. He didn’t even know it until Coach Peggy, who had taken him under her wing, broke the news.  

“I was good at able-bodied swimming,” he said, “but seeing how competitive I could be was really exciting.”  

These days, Stivers swims for both his high school team and the U.S. Paralympics Swimming National Team. He’s classified as an S10 swimmer (and SB9 for breaststroke), with the 100-meter breaststroke as his signature event. He hit a major milestone at the 2024 Indianapolis Para Swimming World Series, dipping under 1:12 for the first time where he clocked in at 1:11 and snagged the American record.  

“There were so many things to think about and work on,” he said. “And that day, it all just clicked.”  

Although he swam a personal best at the 2024 U.S. Paralympics Swimming Trials, it wasn’t quite enough to punch a ticket to Paris. But Stivers isn’t dwelling on the negatives.  

“Thinking about the negatives brings you down,” he said.  

Instead, he’s keeping his focus on the big picture starting with a medal at the 2025 Para Swimming World Championships in Singapore and ultimately, the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.  

When he’s not training, Stivers is out chasing mountain views.  

“Every time I go to a meet, I try to find somewhere to hike, whether it’s two or 12 miles, it doesn’t matter,” he said.  

One of his favorite treks? A hike in Asheville, North Carolina, that left him awestruck. He can’t wait to go back.  

He’s also one-third of a triplet set —a surprise one, no less.  

“My parents were expecting twins until Mom was giving birth. Then the doctor said, ‘There’s a third baby on the way!’”  

One of his brothers had a stroke, which sparked Stivers’ lifelong interest in psychology. He hopes to study it in college (possibly with a double scoop of law school afterward) and one day help others as a therapist or legal advocate. 

“I’ve always been curious about how the brain works, why people do what they do.” 

College is just around the corner, and he’s exploring schools where he can keep training at a high level while studying what he loves. Coaches across the country have been welcoming and open to supporting his goals with Team USA. 

And when the training day is done? Chipotle is the go-to meal. But if there’s a celebration on deck, he’s treating himself to a warm, gooey pizookie from BJ’s Brewhouse. 

Stivers describes himself as shy at first but don’t let that fool you. Once those walls come down, he’s full of personality, kindness, and a whole lot of fun. 

“Don’t be scared to come and get to know me or any Para swimmer or athlete,” he said. 

Because whether it’s in the pool, on a trail, or over dessert, Aiden Stivers is all in and he’s just getting started.