University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Olivia Chambers wins gold at Para Swimming World Series USA
4/23/2023 4:22:00 PM | Women's Swimming and Diving
Panther sophomore collects three medals in international competition, seeking spot of U.S. team for 2023 World Championships.
MINNEAPOLIS --- Two-time Para Swimming national champion Olivia Chambers made the podium with three medal winning performances, including her first gold medal in World Series competition over the weekend as the Panther sophomore competed at the Citi Para Swimming World Series in its United States event at the Jean K. Freeman Aquatics Center.
Chambers, who is legally blind and classified as an S13 swimmer on the Para Swimming circuit, added to her collection of medals won on the international stage competing in her second Para Swimming World Series meet after swimming in the event's October meet in Tijuana, Mexico. The Little Rock, Arkansas native has now won five medals on the World Series circuit.
Chambers opened the meet on Thursday, qualifying for the A-Final in both the 100-meter freestyle with a time of 1:01.51, as well as the 100-meter breaststroke in 1:18.39. In the multi-class final, Chambers clocked a 1:18.90 in the 100-meter breaststroke finals to finish in third place behind fellow American Collen Young, and Brazil's Maria Carolina Gomes Santiago. Chambers also recorded a new career-best mark with a 1:00.89 in the 100-meter freestyle final, cutting 0.62 second to take fifth place.
Swimming in the 400-meter freestyle on Friday, Chambers clocked a 4:37.19 in the preliminary heats to qualify for A-Final, where she swam a career-best mark of 4:33.75 with a 3.44-second time drop to earn bronze. Gold medalist Morgan Stickney set a new American record in her win, while Paralympian McKenzie Coan took silver.
Chambers swam a 2:29.07 in Saturday's 200-meter individual medley prelims, once again qualifying for the evening finals session in the top heat. Recording another career-best mark with a 2.25-second drop and time of 2:26.82, Chambers secured her first Para Swimming World Series gold medal, tying with Paralympian Elizabeth Marks on point criteria.
"It was great to be on the podium with my teammates," said Chambers on her successful weekend. "I'm so glad to have such a supportive team and I couldn't be more thankful."
Using the results of this meet as a team trial event, U.S. Paralympic Swimming will announce its athletes for the U.S. team for this summer's Para Swimming World Championships in the coming weeks. The 2023 Para Swimming World Championships will be held July 31-August 6 at the Manchester Aquatics Center in Manchester, England.
Players Mentioned
