University of Northern Iowa Athletics
UNI swimming: Chambers, Prochaska compete in Para Swimming World Series in Italy
3/18/2024 11:04:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving
LIGNANO SABBIADORO, Italy --- UNI swimmers Olivia Chambers and Cali Prochaska represented the United States on the global stage during their spring breaks, competing at the Para Swimming World Series meet in northern Italy in a four-day meet.
Both decorated para swimmers at the national and international levels, Chambers and Prochaska's appearance is just one of the number of meets for the Panther duo leading up to the U.S. Paralympic Team Trials this summer.Â
Competition for both began on Thursday as Chambers won the B-Final in the 100-meter breaststroke with a time of 1:20.36, while also placing sixth in the A-Final of the 100-meter freestyle (1:01.38). Prochaska meanwhile swam a 1:47.35 in the preliminary heats of the 100-meter breaststroke, and also helped capture a second-place finish for the United States in the 400-meter mixed medley relay alongside fellow Americans Jack O'Neil, Noah Busch and Julia Gaffney (5:07.94).
On Friday, Chambers qualified for the A-Final in the 50-meter freestyle with a preliminary time of 28.38 before shaving more time for a sixth-place finish in the finals (28.00). In the 200-meter freestyle, Prochaska swam a 2:28.08.
Saturday's competition was headlined by a victory for Chambers in the 200-meter individual medley with a winning time of 2:25.99, a 0.82 second improvement from her top-time in the preliminary heats. The win is Chambers' second on the Para Swimming World Series circuit and first since winning the event at the Para Swimming World Series USA meet in 2023. Prochaska meanwhile clocked a 2:52.32 in her 200-meter individual medley.
The meet concluded with a pair of swims for both athletes with Chambers qualifying for a pair of finals, including a sixth-place finish in the A-Final in the 400-meter freestyle (4:33.34) and third-place finish in the B-Final of the 100-meter butterfly (1:07.42). Prochaska competed in both events in the prelims, posting a 5:01.76 in the 400-meter freestyle and 1:15.11 in the 100-meter butterfly.
Chambers, a visually impaired, S13 classified swimmer who has competed on the para swimming circuit since mid-2021, is a six-time Para Swimming World Championship medalist and three-time U.S. Paralympic Swimming national champion with multiple American and one world record to her name.
Prochaska, a sophomore with proximal femoral focal disorder in her left leg and hip, won four medals at the 2023 Parapan American Games last month in Santiago, Chile, including gold in the SM9 200-meter individual medley and S9 100-meter butterfly. She is also a four-time U.S. Paralympic Swimming national champion and seven-time medalist.
Players Mentioned
