Paralympians Shine in Final Opportunity for Paris Qualification at Team Trials

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – After three action-packed days of racing, 88 Paralympic swimmers completed their final day of competition for the last opportunity to qualify for the Paralympic Games Paris 2024. In a star-studded field mixed with veteran and fresh talent, there many Para swimmers swam back-to-back races in the pool to close out the U.S. Paralympic Trials – Swimming. The selection committee will conclude calculations tonight to decide which 21 women and 12 men who will comprise the Paris team. 

At the conclusion of competition, Team USA was led by Jessica Long’s (Baltimore, Maryland) five gold medals and four from a host of athletes including five-time Paralympic medalist Elizabeth Marks (Colorado Springs, Colorado), Paralympic silver medalist Leanne Smith (Salem, Massachusetts) and Paralympic hopefuls Noah Jaffe (Carlsbad, California) and Christie Raleigh Crossley (Toms River, New Jersey). 

Marks continued to shine as she added another Americas and American record to her tally in the preliminary heats of the 50-meter freestyle S6, finishing in a time of 33.13. She ended the final with her fourth gold medal of the event. 

“I'm really enjoying watching and cheering for the up-and-coming younger swimmers,” said Marks. “I am extremely honored to be here.” 

Paralympic champion Anastasia Pagonis (Long Island, New York) set another Americas and American record in the women’s 50-meter freestyle S11. After returning from time off due to injury, Pagonis has come back strong as she attempts to make her second Paralympic Team. 

“I want to have a comeback story for sure, especially with the setbacks I have had in the last year with a concussion and then shoulder surgery which was terrifying, only a year before the Games,” Pagonis said. “I’m looking forward to hopefully holding the world title in something other than just the 400-meter freestyle.”

There was no stopping world champion Raleigh Crossley who continued to dominate, securing golds in both of her events today – the women’s 100-meter butterfly S9 and 50-meter freestyle S9.

The final night brought feelings of gratitude and excitement for many athletes who’ve worked the last three years for the opportunity to hit the highest pinnacle of Paralympic sport this August.

Paralympic hopeful Olivia Chambers (Little Rock, Arkansas) took her first Paralympic Trials in stride and reflected on what it would mean to her to make her first Paralympic Team. 

“It would be a dream come true, it means a whole lot.” Chambers said. “When I first became visually impaired it was really difficult, so finding that something good can come out of it. I am just really excited for what this summer is going to bring.” 

Jamal Hill (Inglewood, California) finished his trials slate with a splash and dash in the men’s 50-meter freestyle S9, finishing with a gold medal time of 25.26 and is expressing the same feelings of gratitude for what he hopes is yet to come this summer in Paris. 

“I’m feeling really really grateful to be here, coming into this trials I think a lot of people have high expectations of me, but it doesn't make it any easier,” Hill said. “There were a lot of times during the season I wanted to throw in the towel. I want people to know they shouldn't quit and should do their best.”

Paralympic champion Gia Pergolini (Atlanta, Georgia) continued the sentiments of her teammates and said she is feeling gratitude for all the fans that arrived to cheer athletes on and support them on their Paralympic journey. Pergolini added a women’s 50-meter freestyle S13 win in her final day of competition. 

“I am just feeling so grateful to be here with so many inspiring fellow athletes and friends,” she said. “We were in a really weird time during COVID-19 with limited coverage. So it is really nice to have spectators and tons of media here. Having more people here as spectators than we ever have had adds a little bit more stress, but I thrive in that environment. I love having the crowd and the excitement and energy they bring.” 

The Paralympic Team naming ceremony is set for Sunday, June 30 at 9:30 a.m. CDT at U.S. Bank Stadium. Competition results for the 2024 U.S. Paralympic Team Trials - Swimming can be found here. 

Follow U.S. Paralympics Swimming on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates and results. 

For media and photo inquiries, please contact Kristen.Gowdy@usopc.org. 

Gold Medalists – Day 3

Jessica Long (Women’s 100-meter Butterfly S8)

Christie Raleigh Crossley (Women’s 100-meter Butterfly S9)

Taylor Winnett (Women’s 100-meter Butterfly S10)

Grace Nuhfer (Women’s 100-meter Butterfly S13)

Piper Sadowski (Women’s 100-meter Butterfly S14)

Noah Jaffe (Men’s 100-meter Butterfly S8)

Braxton Wong (Men’s 100-meter Butterfly S9)

Yassen El-Demerdash (Men’s 100-meter Butterfly S10)

Evan Wilkerson (Men’s 100-meter Butterfly S12)

Lawrence Sapp (Men’s 100-meter Butterfly S14)

Leanne Smith (Women’s 150-meter Individual Medley SM4)

Victoria Beelner (Women’s 200 -meter Individual Medley SM5)

Elizabeth Marks (Women’s 200-meter Individual Medley SM6)

Mallory Weggemann (Women’s 200-meter Individual Medley SM7)

Jessica Long (Women’s 200-meter Individual Medley SM8)

Summer Schmit (Women’s 200-meter Individual Medley SM9)

Olivia Chambers (Women’s 200-meter Individual Medley SM13)

Morgan Ray (Men’s 200-meter Individual Medley SM6)

Noah Jaffe (Men’s 200-meter Individual Medley SM8)

David Gelfand (Men’s 200-meter Individual Medley SM9)

Aaron Thomas (Men’s 200-meter Individual Medley SM10)

David Abrahams (Men’s 200-meter Individual Medley SM13)

Jeff Lovett (Men’s 200-meter Individual Medley SM14)

Leanne Smith (Women’s 50-meter Freestyle S4)

Elizabeth Marks (Women’s 50-meter Freestyle S6)

Mallory Weggemann (Women’s 50-meter Freestyle S7)

Christie Raleigh Crossley (Women’s 50-meter Freestyle S9)

Anastasia Pagonis (Women’s 50-meter Freestyle S11)

Gia Pergolini (Women’s 50-meter Freestyle S13)

Abbas Karimi (Men’s 50-meter Freestyle S5)

Adin Williams (Men’s 50-meter Freestyle S7)

Jamal Hill (Men’s 50-meter Freestyle S9)

Yaseen El-Demerdash (Men’s 50-meter Freestyle S10)

William Rankine (Men’s 50-meter Freestyle S12)