Lakeshore Open Series Meet Featured Newcomers, Paralympians Plus One Expecting Mother

Paralympian Taylor Winnett will probably remember the Lakeshore Open Series Para swim meet for the rest of her life. 

Not because of a particular result, but because the competition held earlier this month in Birmingham, Alabama, was her first time racing as an expectant mom. 

“My first race was the 100-meter backstroke, and during my first 50, I couldn't stop smiling,” said Winnett, whose first child is due in August. “I felt a lot of joy to be able to be healthy enough to race in my second trimester and share this memory with my daughter.” 

The Lakeshore meet is one of several on the national calendar that feature Paralympians and up-and-coming athletes alike, an opportunity that many veterans of the sport enjoy. This year’s meet had athletes ranging from 7 years old to 44, including a number of teenagers who may one day be vying for national team spots. Owen McNear, a college sophomore and national team member who’s hoping to make his Paralympic debut in 2026, was impressed with what he saw. 

“There were definitely some athletes where I was like, ‘Wow, they’re doing so well at their age,’” he said. “I don’t think I was that good at that age. It’s great to see, and hopefully it continues into the future.” 

McNear (S9), shared a podium several times during the meet with Paralympian Evan Wilkerson, a visually impaired athlete. The Lakeshore meet is open class, so athletes of different abilities race together, and their times are adjusted accordingly. Wilkerson (S12), who made his Paralympic debut in Paris, won the men’s 100-meter backstroke, 50-meter freestyle, 100-meter freestyle and 200-meter individual medley, and he came in second in the 100-meter butterfly. McNear won the men’s 100-meter butterfly and came in third in the 100-meter backstroke, 100-meter freestyle and 200-meter IM. 

“It was the first long-course meet in a while, and it’s kind of a weird point in the season because it’s all been short course,” McNear said. “But for going into that with no long-course training, I think I did alright. I had some small adds in some of the events, and I tried some stuff in the backstroke that I didn’t really like, but I think that was the meet to try new stuff. It’s still early, and we have a long way to nationals, and I can take that and really hone in with more practice.” 

The meet also featured members of the University of Arizona Para swim team. The school has the first and only dedicated collegiate Para swim team in the nation, and Noah Thomas (S6), Jon Trawick (S8) and Liberty Freeman (S9) were among the athletes competing. Thomas took first in the men’s 200-meter breaststroke and the men’s 50-meter breaststroke while Freeman won the women’s 100-meter backstroke and 200-meter IM. 

Two-time Paralympian McClain Hermes (S11), who has focused her attention on paratriathlon in recent years, was also on hand for the meet, winning the women’s 1,500-meter freestyle, and 2020 Paralympian Mei White (SB8) took first in the 50-meter breaststroke. Winnett (S10) won the women’s 200-meter backstroke and the 50-meter butterfly despite not being able to start off the blocks because of her pregnancy. 

Like McNear, Winnett always enjoys the chance to catch up with teammates, share meals with other swimmers, soak up the support from coaches including Peggy Ewald, and see young athletes finding success and meeting their goals. 

“I witnessed quite a few athletes achieve national team under-23 cuts and emerging cuts, which was really exciting,” she said. “I am a very sentimental person, so it takes me back to the excitement I felt when I first earned my emerging cut in 50-meter freestyle. I also thought it was great to see such young athletes racing and getting into the sport. In my 200-meter backstroke race, I swam with a 9-year-old and a 15-year-old, and I hope that, as a 26-year-old, that goes to show that swimming can be a sport for these athletes for decades.” 

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.