Roundup: Ali Truwit Continues to Make Waves with Her Stronger Than You Think Foundation

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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. 

 

Making An Impact 

Paralympian Ali Truwit is committed to helping others through her Stronger Than You Think Foundation, and she recently announced the launch of the Stronger Than You Think Performance Incentive Fund with the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Foundation. 

 

Through the fund, the foundation will provide $400,000 in financial support to U.S. Para swimmers who place first through third or set world records at the 2026 Para Pan Pacific Championships and a Para Swimming World Series meet in 2027 and 2028. The funds will be distributed in the leadup to the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games. 

 

Truwit wrote, “My big goal for this initiative is that it scales across the Paralympic movement to other sports, as well as in the number of competitions it’s offered at each year, with increased pools for even more impactful financial rewards for athletes. Help us make this happen at strongerthanyouthink.org”

Forbes spotlighted Truwit’s pledge to assist her fellow Paralympians as well as the challenges that Paralympic athletes face in trying to train and compete without financial barriers.   
 

Optical Delusion? Say More! 

Paralympians Grace Nuhfer and Olivia Chambers have a lot to say, and they’re sharing it with the world with their new podcast, Optical Delusion. 

 

It’s described as, “a podcast that challenges what you think you see,” in which Nuhfer and Chambers will  “dive into the untold, unexpected and unapologetically real stories of Paralympians, athletes and people with disabilities. From podium moments to plot twists no one prepared us for, we talk grit, identity, access, failure, humor and everything in between. This isn’t a highlight reel or a feel-good montage; it’s a conversation about navigating a world that often underestimates you. Optical Delusion: telling the stories we did not see coming (and you probably didn’t either).” 

 

They’ve dropped three episodes since the beginning of February, including the most recent one with teammate Morgan Ray. Find it on Apple podcasts, YouTube and Spotify.

A Milestone Year for  Ahalya Lettenberger

Ahalya Lettenberger has been in England since the fall of 2024 as a Marshall Scholar pursuing a Master of Science degree in sport biomechanics at Loughborough University in Leicestershire. 

 

The Rice graduate and two-time Paralympian, who will next work toward a Master of Science degree in disability, design and innovation at University College London as part of the Marshall program, recently shared that she received the first degree — graduating with distinction — writing, “A bit of a delayed post… but I’m a Master (of Science)! It’s hard to put into words how amazing this past year at Loughborough was, from the people, to the place, to all the new experiences. Thank you to everyone who made my first year in the UK so special 💜” 

Belated Congratulations Are in Order 

Elizabeth Marks has many titles, including Sergeant First Class in the United States Army and three-time Paralympian. Her newest title? Mom! 

 

Marks shared at the beginning of the year, “Our sweet baby Atlas arrived on Christmas Eve. With him home in our arms, this is by far our happiest new year. Thank you universe ❤️‍🩹”

And Congratulations Are in Order Again! 

Soon to be joining Marks as the new moms of Team USA? Taylor Winnett! The 2024 Paralympian shared the big news that she’s “swimming for two” back at the end of January, writing that, “The Winnett household is about to get much louder (if that’s even possible 😆)” with Baby Winnett due to arrive this summer.

She later shared baby Winnett’s gender…..check it out below!

Records Falling 

Evan Wilkerson is in the final stretch of his first year at Ouachita Baptist University swimming for the Tigers, and he shared some big news from his final dual meet of the season. 

 

The 2024 Paralympian wrote, “Last dual meet of the season and broke the 200 backstroke American record by 0.01 seconds. Setting an American record has been a long time goal of mine and to finally put one in the books is a pretty amazing feeling.” Check out his whole post below.

 

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.