Top U.S. Para Swimmers Head to Boise for National Championships as Road to LA28 begins

Almost 100 of the nation’s top Para swimmers will head to Boise, Idaho, June 12-14, for the 2026 U.S. Paralympics Swimming National Championships at the Idaho Central Aquatic Center.

Returning for a second consecutive year in Boise, the field will feature Paralympic medalists, world champions, rising stars and newcomers looking to make their mark on the national stage, showcasing the depth and future of Team USA Para swimming.

The event will begin with classification opportunities on June 11 before three days of competition, set for June 12-14. Preliminary heats will begin at 9 a.m. each day, with finals scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Doors will open at 7 a.m. daily.

"The level of competition at our national championships continues to rise each year," Amanda Duke Boulet, director of U.S. Paralympics Swimming, said. "Boise will welcome Paralympic medalists, national champions and emerging athletes from across the country for three days of outstanding racing and an opportunity to see some of the best Para swimmers in the world compete."  

The Idaho Central Aquatic Center, which opened in 2023, features an eight-lane, 50-meter competition pool, a separate six-lane, 25-yard pool and seating for nearly 1,000 spectators.

The 2026 national championships come during an important year for Team USA Para swimmers as they measure progress, gain race experience and build momentum heading into international competition later this season.

One year after delivering one of the most memorable performances of the 2025 national championships, Boyd returns to Boise with plenty of momentum. The Ramsey, Minnesota, native shattered a world record in the men's SM10 400-meter individual medley and earned Swimmer of the Meet honors. Still early in his career, Boyd enters the meet as one of Team USA's brightest young stars.

Few athletes in the field can match Coan's resume. The four-time Paralympic champion and seven-time medalist has been a fixture of Team USA for more than a decade. The next chapter of Coan's life is already taking shape. Between a recent engagement and plans to begin law school this fall, Coan is balancing major milestones away from the pool while remaining one of the nation's most accomplished Para swimmers.

At just 18 years old, Jaffe has already accomplished what many athletes spend a career chasing. The Paris Paralympic silver and bronze medalist returns to Boise after emerging as one of the breakout performers of the Paris Games. As Team USA begins its journey toward LA28, the OPTC residential swimmer will look to continue establishing himself as one of the program's next leaders.

For most athletes, reaching the Paralympic Games would be enough. For Taylor Winnett, it was just the beginning. The Paris Paralympian and seven-time Parapan American Games medalist returns to nationals as one of Team USA's top S10 swimmers while training for her next goal, completing an Ironman.

More than a decade into her international career, Leanne Smith remains one of Team USA's most accomplished athletes. The Paralympic champion, world champion and world record holder has consistently delivered on the sport's biggest stages. As one of the veterans of the U.S. program, Smith brings both experience and championship pedigree to Boise.

Keegan Knott enters with momentum after earning her first World Championships berth in 2025. The two-time Paralympian represented Team USA in both Tokyo and Paris and continues to balance collegiate swimming at Northern Arizona University with international competition. Still just 20 years old, Knott remains one of Team USA's most experienced young athletes as she looks toward the next chapter of her international career.

For Bennett Wong, Para swimming has always been close to home. Inspired by his older brother Braxton's success in the sport, he will look to carve out his own path while competing against some of the nation's top Para swimmers in Boise.  

After graduating from the University of Akron, Grace Nuhfer enters a new chapter in her swimming career. The Paris Paralympian is now training with Northwestern University and coach Rachel Stratton Mills, allowing her to fully focus on her development as she continues to build on her success at the national and international levels.

While many of the top names in Boise are established Paralympians, Piper Sadowski represents the next generation of U.S. Para swimming. The U23 National Team member and OPTC resident athlete has steadily climbed the ranks of American Para swimming and continues to gain valuable international experience. Nationals will provide another opportunity for the Michigan native to measure herself against some of the sport's biggest names.

As Team USA looks ahead to  the LA28 Paralympic Games, the national championships provide an important opportunity for athletes to test themselves against the nation's best, gain valuable race experience and continue building toward future international success.

More information on the 2026 national championships can be found at USParaSwimming.org. Please email USPara.SwimInfo@usopc.org with questions regarding the event.

For media requests and photo inquiries, please contact Ike Hartman at Ike.Hartman@usopc.org.

About U.S. Paralympics Swimming

U.S. Paralympics Swimming serves as the national governing body for Para swimming in the United States. Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S. Paralympics Swimming is a division of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. U.S. Paralympics Swimming is committed to promoting and growing Para swimming in the United States by enabling athletes and coaches to achieve sustained competitive excellence. In addition to overseeing domestic competition opportunities, U.S. Paralympics Swimming is responsible for the selection and training of U.S. teams for international competition including world championships, Parapan American Games and the Paralympic Games. Para swimming for men and women has been a part of the Paralympic program since the first Games in 1960 in Rome, Italy.

About the Idaho Central Aquatic Center

The Idaho Central Aquatic Center is an extraordinary community resource whose mission is to teach and inspire athletes of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds by fostering a passion for swimming, water polo, water safety and fitness, and all other aquatic activities.  The facility has generously donated water space to host this extraordinary event to further promote the Paralympic program and Olympic movement.

About Visit Boise

Boise is a rare blend of accessible outdoors and eclectic urban offerings. This city, with a river running through it, boasts unlimited recreation, interesting and unique sites and attractions, and diverse cultural offerings. The mission of Visit Boise is to inspire people to explore Boise. Find out more at VisitBoise.com.