Passages: Hannah Nelson, Member of U.S. Paraswimming National Team, 23
Hannah Nelson, who represented the United States at the 2023 World Para Swimming Championships, died on April 5. She was 23 years old.
Nelson was a swimmer at Ave Maria University in Florida, which confirmed in a statement that she died after a catastrophic brain bleed suffered on Saturday. USA Para Swimming shared a memorial post of Nelson on social media.
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Nelson was a sophomore member of the of the NAIA program’s swim team, having set the school record in the women’s 1,650 freestyle. A native of Yankton, South Dakota, she transferred in from Augustana University.
Nelson suffered a left leg amputation after a bout with bone cancer at age 11. She got into paraswimming after watching Jessica Long compete at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio, then progressed to become a teammate of Long’s.
After a breakout 2023 season, she was named to the U.S. team for that year’s World Para Swimming Championships in Manchester. An S10 swimmer, she finished seventh in the 400 free.
“Hannah was the definition of a true leader for our team, both in and out of the pool,” Ave Maria head coach Giordan Harris said in the university statement. “Between her collegiate and paralympic careers, her story impacted a lot of people well beyond our campus. Hannah was joyful, bright and genuinely happy to be at Ave Maria. We are going to miss her.”
Nelson did not take part in U.S. Paralympic Team Trials for the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
“Hannah was able to brighten any practice or lift with just her presence and colorful array of orange suits,” college teammate Maeve O’Brien. “Her joyful attitude, humble heart and gentle disposition allowed her to smile during the toughest sets and uplift her teammates both in and out of the pool.”
“Hannah’s presence on the team was one of joyful strength,” said teammate Clare Tamisiea. “Personally, she was like an encouraging sister to me, someone who I always looked up to and hoped I could be like one day. She inspired everyone around her to become the best version of themselves by her good example. She was so loved and will always have a special place on this team and in our hearts.”