Para Swimming Roundup: Behind The Scenes At Nationals in Boise and More

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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 Swimming Roundup!


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


Expectant Mom Shines in Boise

The nation’s top Para swimmers gathered in Boise, Idaho, earlier this month for the U.S. Paralympics Swimming National Championships. While the meet featured countless standout performances, one of its most memorable stories belonged to an expectant mother.


Paralympian Taylor Winnett, who is expecting her first child, was back in the pool competing against the nation’s best while preparing for an entirely different journey beyond the sport.


Winnett said she “couldn’t have asked for a better nationals,” with results of second in the mile, fifth in the 20-meter backstroke, 15th in 400 freestyle, 17th in 100 backstroke, and 23rd in 100 freestyle.


She wrote on Instagram: “One big goal I’ve had since the beginning of this season was to compete in the mile at nationals, and I’m grateful for being able to race while 7 months pregnant 🤍


“I’m just feeling so thankful for the opportunity to race such amazing people, and the love and support I have felt from my friends, coaches, officials, staff, and parents these past few days. I can’t wait to hopefully make more memories with my daughter here next year and show her the amazing people who make para swimming my second home. One of my favorite memories of this meet was watching athletes achieve their national team status for the first time.💙”

Winnett wasn’t done after nationals. She raced the 800-meter freestyle, 50-meter butterfly and 50-meter backstroke at the 2026 Masters Sun City Summer Splash in El Paso, Texas, at 30 weeks pregnant.


One of her goals throughout the year, she said, was to continue training and racing while pregnant. Winnett said her team of doctors has followed her progress and encouraged her to stay active.


“Thankfully my health has permitted. I start in the water now and stopped swimming breaststroke, but otherwise I’ve tried to swim 2 miles daily. I’m grateful to have been able to represent the disability and pregnancy community at this Masters meet yesterday! All I need next is for 50 fly to become a Paralympic event for my classification (S10)!”


And while Winnett was racing for two, Paralympian Jessica Long is also still in the pool at 28 weeks! 


“Just trying my best 💁🏼‍♀️😅,” the 31-time Paralympic medalist wrote on Instagram.

Long also added a throwback pic of her 10-year-old self, medal around her neck, writing:


“Little Jess just wanted to swim.

She didn’t know it would take her around the world.

She didn’t know it would shape her life. 

She didn’t know the confidence it would bring. 

She didn’t know it would give her purpose. 

I’m so grateful that 10 year old girl never quit.


One more Paralympic Games (because a few of you have asked if I’m still swimming). Yes! It’s been a dream of mine to end on home soil #7 LA 2028 🇺🇸♥️”

National Teamers Check In

Winnett and Long were joined by many of their national team teammates in one of the last big competitions before the Para Pan Pacific Championships to be held at the end of the summer in California.


Two-time Paralympian Lawrence Sapp shared his thoughts and some action — and bling — shots from nationals, writing, “Boise Idaho US Para Nationals is complete ✅. It was a good swims. Lots of fun and good to see my friends at the meet. 2 gold medals 🥇 🥇 1 silver🥈 1 bronze 🥉.”

Evan Wilkerson, who made his Paralympic debut in 2024, lowered the American record in the men’s 200-meter backstroke time final during the event. He shared some behind-the-scenes shots (including his adorable guide pup getting some love on deck), and wrote, “It was so good to catch up with old friends and see so many new faces. This was an amazing meet for me, getting my first nationals gold and breaking another American record. Shout out to @lucas_culotta it’s always good to share a swim meet home with you and your family. God is so good and I’m very excited to see what the remainder of this season has in store.”

Seven-time Paralympic medalist McKenzie Coan shared some pics from the weekend, writing, “Got to work, had some laughs, and saw some of my favorite people 🩷.”

Up-and-comer Kenley Teller shared her assessment, saying, “Nationals didn’t go exactly as I’d expected but there’s always a chance to learn from the things I do!! Happy to have had another year in Boise with the best people 🤍.”

Optical Delusion In The House

Grace Nuhfer was on scene and on task interviewing her teammates as she also does as the co-host of the “Optical Delusion” podcast along with Olivia Chambers. The Paralympic teammates go deep in conversation with many of the folks of Team USA, but their dispatches from the deck at meets across the world this summer are giving fans a fun look at what goes on when the athletes aren’t readying themselves for races.


First, this conversation with national team veteran Julia Gaffney, where she talks about competing in two “A” finals with only 15 minutes to spare in between:

Check out Nuhfer’s conversation with Leanne Smith here, where they talk about what’s on the horizon and Smith tries her best to sum up the weekend in just three words:

Nuhfer even posted a few shots of her own:

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.