Para Swimming Roundup: The Countdown To Para Pan Pacs Is On

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by Karen Price, Red Line Editorial

What’s new in the world of U.S. Para swimming? Find out in this month’s Para Swimming Roundup!


We scour the web for the latest news and updates from Team USA stars and the wider world of Para swimming.

The Countdown Is On

For Para swimmers including Lawrence Sapp, the annual Jimi Flowers Classic meet and summer training camp in Colorado Springs, Colorado, marked the final stop before the Para Pan Pacific Championships next month in California.


The Jimi Flowers meet, which honors the longtime U.S. mentor and coach, was held over two days this month at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center.


Sapp was one of five swimmers who combined to break 10 American records at the event.


“Good times for the 50s Strokes Broke another AMERICAN RECORD!! ‼️ for the 50 Fly I’m pretty happy for my results,” the two-time U.S. Paralympian wrote. “I have a great time with my friends!! ... Next up ➡️ Para PAN PACs In walnut California!! Here I come!!”

In addition to Sapp, teammate Evan Wilkerson led the way with four American records. Aspen Shelton added three more, and Dillon Mezey and Piper Sadowski put their names in the record books too.


Sapp also shared a quick behind-the-scenes (or, rather, under the scenes?) video from the weekend:

Say Hello To Cheerio!

Anastasia Pagonis shared with her followers not long ago that it was time for her guide dog, Radar, to retire. But she recently shared that a new guide pup has entered her life! Say hello to Cheerio!

The Paralympic gold medalist also shared this video of how well Cheerio’s already doing navigating her down crowded sidewalks with ease:

Making A Little Girl’s Day

Ali Truwit is an example of courage, bravery and determination for people all over the world, but especially for Leah Lendel. The 9-year-old survived her own shark attack a year ago, and she was recently interviewed on “CBS Mornings” to talk about the ordeal and her recovery.


A surprise appearance from Truwit had her smiling ear to ear.


“You are my hero and you are making me be braver,” Lendel said, to which Truwit responded, “You’re my hero and you’re making all of us be braver, too.”


You can watch the clip with Truwit here:

Or see the whole interview here.


And while we’re on the subject of Truwit, check out here look behind the scenes at the ESPY Awards along with childhood pal, Olympic swimmer Gretchen Walsh:

Teaching The Next Generation

Morgan Ray is a passionate advocate for athletes with dwarfism and helping the next generation achieve their dreams. He recently taught a clinic at the Dwarf Athletic Association of America National Games in New Orleans and emphasized skills such as open and flip turns, body position in the water through adaptive techniques, and building confidence in the water. 


“We want every swimmer to discover the fastest version of THEIR stroke, not someone else’s,” he wrote. Check out the whole post below:

Karimi Featured As ‘Great Immigrant’

Abbas Karimi started his Paralympic swimming journey as a member of the International Paralympic Committee Refugee Team competing in Tokyo in 2020. The native of Afghanistan later became a U.S. citizen and competed with Team USA in Paris. Karimi was recently featured on the website of the Andrew Carnegie Foundation as a “great immigrant.”

Mom-To-Be Updates

U.S. Paralympics Swimming has not one but two expectant moms whose due dates are quickly approaching!


Jessica Long gave followers a “bump update” recently, noting that, at 34 weeks, she’s getting ready to meet her twin boys, and that some of the latest developments of pregnancy, including carpal tunnel syndrome and an inability to get into bed without using a stool, are “definitely becoming not very fun.”

Long was also featured in a piece on the International Paralympic Committee website discussing her journey into motherhood and toward LA28.


Taylor Winnett is also ready for the arrival of her little girl in just a few more weeks. She wrote:


“I can’t believe that next month I’ll have my daughter in my arms 💗. A few days ago I ‘graduated’ from the high risk monitoring side of my pregnancy, which I’m incredibly grateful for. July is disability pride month and there was a long time where we didn’t know if I could or should experience pregnancy with my medical history.”


You can read her whole post, including more about navigating pregnancy with a disability, here:

Hill Recognized For Expansion To Africa

Jamal Hill continues to make an impact with his Swim Up Hill Foundation, and he was recently honored in his hometown by the Los Angeles African Professionals. The organization wrote:


“A standing ovation for decorated U.S. Paralympic swimmer Jamal Hill, whose courage, resilience, and unwavering determination continue to inspire the world. We are incredibly proud to honor him with the Ambassador of Aquatic Inclusion in Africa Award, recognizing his commitment to making swimming accessible and life-saving for communities. Keep swimming uphill, our great champion!!! @swimuphill 🥇 🎖️ 🥇 🏅.”

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.