Roundup: McKenzie Coan’s Upcoming Feature, Gia Pergolini’s Latest Honor, And More

Share:

by Karen Price

What’s new in the world of U.S. Para swimming? Find out in this month’s Swimming Roundup! We scour the web for the latest news and updates from Team USA stars and the wider world of Para swimming. 


Smith Keeps the Conversation Going  

Three-time Paralympian Lizzi Smith is a longtime champion for greater opportunities for women and girls, and she recently joined the Female Quotient, a women’s media company aimed at business and leadership, for a conversation for Women’s History Month. 

 

She wrote, “Moments like this are a chance to celebrate, but also reflect on the work still ahead. Visibility matters, but real progress takes intention and commitment. Grateful to be part of a conversation with @invisalign about how we keep creating more opportunities for women and girls” 

See It To Be It!  

McKenzie Coan is already a published author herself, having released her autobiography “Breaking Free” in 2021. Now the four-time Paralympian is being featured in a new book aimed at teens by icon Billie Jean King with sports journalist Liz Robbins. 

 

The book, “See It To Be It,” features stories on athletes including Coan, tennis champion Naomi Osaka and basketball star Caitlin Clark, with the goal of inspiring young athletes and highlighting trailblazers in their sports. The book will be out in August. 

 

Coan wrote, “I’m so excited to share that I’m featured in ‘See It to Be It’ by Billie Jean King and Liz Robbins 😊 

 

“This book shares real stories from athletes — our journeys and what it really takes to chase your goals. If you love sports or just need a reminder of what you’re capable of, this book’s for you.”


Pergolini In The Big Apple  

Gia Pergolini is a star both in the pool and out! The two-time Paralympian was honored recently as a recipient of the Thurman Munson Award. Named after the late New York Yankees captain, the award is presented to “professional and Olympic athletes in recognition of their athletic achievements and their contributions to the community.” 

 

Also receiving the award this year were 1986 World Series champion Bobby Ojeda and Olympic hockey player and gold medalist Micah Zandee-Hart of Canada. 

 

Pergolini wrote, “Last week I had the incredible honor of receiving the Thurman Munson award @ahrcnyc. Taking these past few months to learn more and more about @ahrcnyc has been one of the greatest privileges in my career. The amount of love this program shares is so immense, and I am so grateful to be a part of it! Thank you to Dianaa Munson and @ahrcnyc for putting on a wonderful event and making my NYC experience unforgettable.” 

She also got to catch up with friend and Paralympic teammate Ali Truwit and shared some snaps of the two medalists all glammed up.

Ray Jumps In On Podcast  

Teammates Grace Nuhfer and Olivia Chambers have teamed up to create a podcast, Optical Delusion, telling the Paralympic stories they “didn’t see coming (and you probably didn’t either),” and one of their latest guests is teammate Morgan Ray. 

 

They write, “Morgan Ray is a Paralympic silver medalist with years of experience in and out of the water! Now both an athlete and a coach, Morgan has a lot to share about his journey as a disabled athlete.” 

 

But that’s not all. Nuhfer and Chambers also talk with Ali Truwit, writing “@alitruwit brings so many real and authentic experiences to the table with amazing perspectives and lessons learned.” 

 

Catch up on all the latest: 

Para Pan Pacific Championships coming to California  

Founded in 2011, the Para Pan Pacific Championships serves as a regional international championship meet during non-Paralympic or world championships seasons. The competition is coming to the United States for the second time this summer, and U.S. Paralympics Swimming announced in March that it will take place at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, California. 

 

More details about the Aug. 28-30 competition will come in in the next several months. 

 

“This is a significant moment for Para swimming in the U.S.,” said Amanda Duke Boulet, director or U.S. Paralympics Swimming. “Hosting the Para Pan Pacs on U.S. soil again for the first time in more than a decade underscores our commitment to providing world-class competitive opportunities for Para swimmers and strengthening international collaboration within the sport. This event also plays a critical role in athlete development during a non-Paralympic, non-world championship year.” 

Karen Price is a reporter from Pittsburgh who has covered Olympic and Paralympic sports for various publications. She is a freelance contributor to USParaSwimming.org on behalf of Red Line Editorial, Inc.