USA Down Syndrome Swimming Announces National Team For World Championships

Courtesy: USA Down Syndrome

(Fla., April, 2022) Twenty-eight swimmers from across the country have qualified and committed to the USA Down Syndrome National Swimming Team. The team will compete at the 10th Down Syndrome World Swimming Championships hosted by the Down Syndrome International Swimming Organization (DSISO) in Albufeira, Portugal in October.

In order to compete at the World Championship, swimmers had to meet or exceed the qualifying times set by DSISO. Artistic swimmers were selected based on their technical skill and artistic performance. “We are very excited to have such a talented team to represent the United States at the international competition.” said Head Coach Colin Vidas. “These athletes are from all across the country and worked very hard to make qualifying times to join the team.”

Now that the team has been selected, USA Down Syndrome Swimming (USADSS) is busy fundraising for the World Championship. Families have already paid for 50% of their swimmers’ championship costs. “We need about $100,000 to cover the rest of the cost of travel, coaching, and outfitting the team,” said Team Manager, Paris Jacbos. USADSS is seeking corporate sponsors as well as individual contributions. The athletes and coaches invite other swimmers to join in their “Road To Portugal” Virtual Swim-A-Thon launching today and going until the end of July. Learn more at www.usadownsyndromeswimming.org.

In 2018, the USA took 13 swimmers to the World Championship in Truro, Canada and the team placed 10th. The 2022 national team will be the largest ever from the USA and includes multiple American and World record holders. The team of swimmers include;

Competitive Swimming Team:

Kayla Aulis-18 Highland, Calif., Gavin Baker-17 Denver, Colo., Lauren Bergquist-23 Maitland, Fla., Mary Borman-23 Fayetteville, Ark., Thomas Chen-22 Portage, Mich., Luc De Castro-18 Miami, Fla., Gustavo De Oliveira-14 Pembroke Pines, Fla., Luke Drumright-24 Midland, Mich., Jane Evans-18 Santa Cruz, Calif., Nicolas Gutierrez-18 Miami Fla, Joseph Jurries-21 Arbor Vitae, Wis., Connor Long-27 Louisville, Colo., Paavlena Madhivanan-26 Tucson, Ariz., Andy Miyares-39, Fla., Jonathan Rawlings-14 St. Charles, Mo., Charles Saffian-21 Cumberland Center, Maine, Maggie Scherder-19 Troy, Mo., Nicholas Schetter-26 Carney, Mich., Alexis Unter-17 Trabuco Canyon, Calif., Gretchen Wahle-19 Napa, Calif., Katya Vazhenin-19 Lawrenceville, Ga.

Artistic Swimming Team:

Bianca Almodovar-18 Pembroke Pines, Fla., Rachelle Ghandour-16 Miami, Fla., Claire Gunter-15 Hobe Sound, Fla., Grace Long-21 Golden Beach, Fla., Carolina Rossel-26 Miami, Fla., Sofia Valdivia-22 South Miami, Fla., Valeria Van Balen-23 Doral, Fla., Valeria Vasquez-19 Miami, Fla.

* The deadline for USADSS Swimmers to declare and commit for the World Championship is July 1, 2022.

About USA Down Syndrome Swimming

USA Down Syndrome Swimming (USADSS) is a 100% volunteer non-profit 501(c)(3) that was formed to benefit swimmers with Down syndrome in their pursuit of competitive swimming, and to support their elite participation in national and international competition. USADSS is dedicated to building partnerships and raising expectations for swimmers with Down syndrome. USADSS hosts National Training Camps for both competitive and artistic swimmers with Down syndrome and selects the national team for DSISO competitions.

About Down Syndrome International Swimming Organization (DSISO)

The Down Syndrome International Swimming Organization (DSISO) was created to provide swimmers with Down Syndrome the opportunity to swim at World Class level through its World Championships held every two years, and also tracks World and Regional records specific to swimmers with Down syndrome.