University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
U.S. Paralympic Swimming National Championships
Olivia Chambers wins two titles at U.S. Paralympic National Championships
12/19/2022 9:33:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving
Panther sophomore also named Swimmer of the Meet to become UNI's first para-swimming national champion
CHARLOTTE, N.C. --- Olivia Chambers became UNI's first-ever para-swimming national champion over the weekend as the Panther sophomore picked up a pair of gold medal finishes and another bronze medal at the U.S. Paralympic National Championships at the Mecklenburg County Aquatics Center. Chambers was also named the Swimmer of the Meet by virtue of having the best overall point total among competing athletes.
"With the points, we didn't really know who had won until they announced on the podium," Chambers said. "Hearing my name for Swimmer of the Meet was crazy. I definitely wasn't expecting that."
Chambers, who is classified as legally blind under World Para Swimming's disability classifications as an S13 athlete, began the weekend with a first place finish in the 400-meter freestyle on Friday in a time of 4:34.30, shaving 2.08 seconds off her career-best time, narrowly edging out four-time Paralympic gold medalist McKenzie Coan. She also took third place in the 100-meter butterfly in a time of 1:08.19, setting another career-best time.
In Saturday's competition, Chambers took fourth place in the 100-meter backstroke with a time of 1:08.69, as well as fifth place in the 50-meter freestyle in 28.58.
In her final event on Sunday, Chambers won the 200-meter individual medley, first posting a 2:30.77 time in the preliminary heats before dropping another 1.59 seconds to take home gold, beating out three-time Paralympic champion and five-time medalist Elizabeth Marks.
The U.S. Paralympic National Championships were the second major national meet for the Little Rock, Ark. native, who seeks to qualify for a spot on Team USA for the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.Â
"It was all a little nerve-racking at first, but really became fun as I raced against such great people," Chambers explained. "Everyone has a story and has been through challenges, reminding me I can put everything into my races too."
She previously competed at the Citi Para Swimming World Series in Tijuana, Mexico in October, where she took home a silver medal in the 400-meter freestyle and bronze in the 100-meter butterfly.Â
Chambers also set a Para-American record in the 400-meter individual medley this past summer at the USA Swimming Futures Championships in Minneapolis. Chambers is expected to compete again on the national para-swimming stage in April at the Para Swimming World Series in Indianapolis.
Chambers returns to action Jan. 13-14 as the Panthers host the Illinois State Redbirds in a two-day dual. Competition is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. CT on Jan. 13, and again at 11 a.m. CT on Jan. 14.
Players Mentioned
