University of Northern Iowa Athletics
UNI Swim and Dive: Olivia Chambers sets Para American record
8/7/2022 3:20:00 PM | Women's Swimming and Diving
MINNEAPOLIS --- UNI rising sophomore Olivia Chambers re-wrote the history books in late July as she set a new Para American record in the S13 400-meter individual medley at the USA Swimming Futures Championships.
Competing with the Panther Aquatic Club, Chambers' time of 5:21.68 broke the previous high-water mark of 5:23.60 from 2012, held by three-time Paralympic gold medalist Rebecca Meyers. Chambers, who is classified as legally blind under World Para Swimming's disability classifications, has competed as an official para-athlete since April.
"We are very proud of Olivia for persevering through the challenges that come with training and racing blind," UNI assistant swim coach Ben Colin said. "We coached her at a distance this summer while she was home in Little Rock. Her motivation and drive to achieve her goals, especially while training solo, is truly something special."
A biology major entering her second season at UNI, Chambers qualified for the Futures Championships by virtue of a 4:33.53 yard time in the 400-yard individual medley at the 2022 Missouri Valley Conference Championships, where she took 14th place. The Little Rock, Ark. native continues her training in hopes of making the U.S. Paralympic Team for the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.
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Competing with the Panther Aquatic Club, Chambers' time of 5:21.68 broke the previous high-water mark of 5:23.60 from 2012, held by three-time Paralympic gold medalist Rebecca Meyers. Chambers, who is classified as legally blind under World Para Swimming's disability classifications, has competed as an official para-athlete since April.
"We are very proud of Olivia for persevering through the challenges that come with training and racing blind," UNI assistant swim coach Ben Colin said. "We coached her at a distance this summer while she was home in Little Rock. Her motivation and drive to achieve her goals, especially while training solo, is truly something special."
A biology major entering her second season at UNI, Chambers qualified for the Futures Championships by virtue of a 4:33.53 yard time in the 400-yard individual medley at the 2022 Missouri Valley Conference Championships, where she took 14th place. The Little Rock, Ark. native continues her training in hopes of making the U.S. Paralympic Team for the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.
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