Podium Finish for Ali Truwit’s Return Highlights World Series in France

On Sunday, May 3, U.S. Paralympics swimmers wrapped up three days of racing at the World Para Swimming World Series stop in Taverny, France. The competition was held at AquaVal – Centre aquatique Alice-Milliat and marked the fourth stop of nine in the world series circuit. The meet brought together 194 athletes from 39 nations with France topping the medal standings earning nine gold medals over the course of the weekend. The meet used a scoring system by points allows for athletes from different classifications to compete in the same race where medals are awarded based on points rather than finishing times. 

Team USA was represented by a six-athlete roster, highlighted by a podium performance from Ali Truwit and a standout showing from youth swimmer Cara Pennington. Truwit, who was named to the national team on Friday, made a strong return to international competition, earning silver in the women’s 400-meter freestyle S6-14, finishing behind Switzerland’s Nora Meister. The result marked an early milestone in her return to the pool as she continues to build momentum towards LA28. Truwit also placed fourth in the women’s 100-meter freestyle S1-14. 

Pennington emerged as a youth standout, sweeping four youth finals with gold medals in the 100-meter freestyle S1-14, 400-meter freestyle S6-14, 100-meter backstroke S1-2, S6-14, and 50-meter freestyle S1-14. The series continues quickly, with the next stop set for Berlin from May 7-9, where a larger contingent of 13 U.S. athletes will compete on the international stage. 

Team USA results: 

Silver – Ali Truwit – Women's 400-meter Freestyle S6-14 

4^th – Ali Truwit – Women's 100-meter Freestyle S1-14 

4^th – Ali Truwit – Women's 100-meter Backstroke S1-S2, S6-S14 

Gold – Cara Pennington – Youth 100-meter Freestyle S1-14 

Gold – Cara Pennington – Youth 400-meter Freestyle S6-14 

Gold – Cara Pennington – Youth 100-meter Backstroke S1-S2, S6-S14 

Gold – Cara Pennington – Youth 50-meter Freestyle S1-S14