U.S. Paralympic Trials: Elizabeth Marks Ties World Record; Jessica Long, Ali Truwit Claim Titles (Full List of Winners)
For the fourth time in its history, Team USA returned to the Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center for a U.S. Paralympic Team Trials – Swimming, which kicked off Thursday. The first day of the 2024 competition included record-breaking swims, with a tied world record time in the 100-meter backstroke S6 for Elizabeth Marks (Colorado Springs, Colorado), and American records for Zach Shattuck (Mt. Airy, Maryland), Morgan Ray (St. Augustine, Florida), Trevor Lukascko (Bernardsville, New Jersey), and Alexandra Truwit (Darien, Connecticut). Para swimmers weren’t holding back with hopes to make the Paralympic Games Paris 2024 – the three-day competition will conclude Saturday, and the team will be announced in a naming ceremony at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday.
In addition to equaling the world record in the 100 backstroke, Marks was first in the 100 butterfly. Meanwhile, Jessica Long doubled in the backstroke and breaststroke. The legendary Paralympian is looking to add to her collection of Paralympic medals, which sits at 29.
Megan Gioffreda (Towson, Maryland) kicked off the first night of finals with an impressive finish. After dropping five seconds from her preliminary morning race in the 100-meter breaststroke SB6, Gioffreda took gold ahead of Paralympic veterans Mallory Weggemann (Eagan, Minnesota) and Ahalya Lettenberger (Glen Ellyn, Illinois). Gioffreda, who is looking to qualify for her first Paralympic Games, said she isn’t feeling the pressure, but is instead embracing it.
“I didn’t feel that much pressure, it’s all in my head,” said Gioffreda. “I was definitely excited, as this morning I was more nervous. Coming back tonight I was more confident.”
Three-time Paralympian Colleen Young (St. Louis, Missouri) is no stranger to Paralympic Trials, making her debut in London with aims of making her fourth Paralympic Team in 2024.
Young had a fantastic opening swim in the 100-meter breaststroke SB13, overtaking the rest of the field by 1.22 seconds to secure the gold.
“I’m incredibly grateful to be here,” said Young. “I’m speechless at the opportunity to make my fourth Games.”
Two-time Paralympian and multi-sport athlete McClain Hermes (Dacula, Georgia) came within milliseconds of breaking the American Record in the 100-meter backstroke S11, an event she hasn’t swam since the Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020. Hermes credits her improvements in the pool to the intense cross-training she has been undergoing while training to make the team for paratriathlon as well. Hermes’ training includes 20 miles of running and 60 mile bike rides multiple times a week.
“It has really helped build up my cardiovascular system and makes a 100-meter backstroke in comparison to a 60-mile bike ride seem like a walk in a park,” said Hermes.
Newcomer to the U.S. Paralympics Swimming National Team and Para swimming, Truwit made headlines at her first Paralympic Team Trials with a successful first night of finals swimming in the 100-meter backstroke S10. Only one year since sustaining her injury, Truwit is already a leading force for the next generation of Para athletes.
“I definitely have goals, but I am also taking the time to be proud of where I am at, especially after it only being a year since the [shark] attack and amputation,” said Truwit.
Competition resumes June 28 at 9 a.m. local time with the second day of preliminary heats. All sessions will be streamed live on NBC’s Peacock with the streaming schedule found here with competition results found here.
Gold Medalists – Day 1
Megan Gioffreda (women’s 100-meter breaststroke SB6)
Jessica Long (women’s 100-meter breaststroke SB7)
Mei White (women’s 100-meter breaststroke SB8)
Summer Schmit (women’s 100-meter breaststroke SB9)
Colleen Young (women’s 100-meter breaststroke SB13)
Morgan Ray (men’s 100-meter breaststroke SB6)
David Gelfand (men’s 100-meter breaststroke SB8)
Aiden Stivers (men’s 100-meter breaststroke SB9)
David Abrahams (men’s 100-meter breaststroke SB13)
Trevor Lukacsko (men’s 100-meter breaststroke SB14)
Leanne Smith (women’s 50-meter breaststroke SB3)
Elizabeth Marks (women’s 100-meter backstroke S6)
Jessica Long (women’s 100-meter backstroke S8)
Christie Raleigh Crossley (women’s 100-meter backstroke S9)
Alexandra Truwit (women’s 100-meter backstroke S10)
McClain Hermes (women’s 100-meter backstroke S11)
Gia Pergolini (women’s 100-meter backstroke S13)
Piper Sadowski (women’s 100-meter backstroke S14)
Noah Thomas (men’s 100-meter backstroke S6)
Jack O’Neil (men’s 100-meter backstroke S8)
Noah Busch (men’s 100-meter backstroke S9)
Yaseen El-Demerdash (men’s 100-meter backstroke S10)
Evan Wilkerson (men’s 100-meter backstroke S12)
Lawrence Sapp (men’s 100-meter backstroke S14)
Victoria Beelner (women’s 50-meter butterfly S5)
Elizabeth Marks (women’s 50-meter butterfly S6)
Mallory Weggemann (women’s 50-meter butterfly S7)
Abbas Karimi (men’s 50-meter butterfly S5)
Zach Shattuck (men’s 50-meter butterfly S6)
Evan Austin (men’s 50-meter butterfly S7)
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