![](https://res.cloudinary.com/usopc-prod/image/upload/v1686874905/NGB%20Para%20Swimming/Migration/PodiumSweep.jpg)
(L-R) Elizabeth Marks, Olivia Chambers, and Colleen Young earned gold, gold, and bronze, respectively, in the women's 100-meter backstroke.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – Team USA concluded the Citi Para Swimming World Series USA 2023 on a high note, capturing 12 podium positions for a total of 40 medals earned throughout the three-day, international competition at the Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center.
Paralympic silver medalist David Abrahams (Havertown, Pennsylvania) was the only American to medal in the men’s 200-meter individual medley, earning a bronze medal and stopping the clock at 2:15.94 despite only recently returning to training after having been injured.
“I am just getting back into the cycle of things,” said Abrahams, “but I’m enjoying every day. I’m probably not in top shape right now, but I’ll be back there soon.”
Team USA swept the podium in both the women’s 200-meter individual medley and the women’s 100-meter backstroke. Olivia Chambers (Little Rock, Arkansas) proved that while new to the national team, she is not new to winning medals. In an incredibly close race, Chambers and two-time Paralympic gold medalist Elizabeth Marks (Colorado Springs, Colorado) tied for the top spot in the third event of the evening. The two were joined on the podium by two-time Paralympic medalist Colleen Young (St. Louis, Missouri).
“It was great to be on the podium with my teammates,” said Chambers. “I’m so glad to have such a supportive team and I couldn’t be more thankful.”
“I am looking forward to more podiums with teammates,” added Young.
In the second all-Team USA podium of the night, Christie Raleigh Crossley (Toms River, New Jersey), who set the world record for the 50-meter backstroke S9 in Italy last month, collected a gold medal in the women’s 100-meter backstroke with a time of 1:10.01. Following less than a second behind, two-time Paralympic gold medalist Hannah Aspden (Raleigh, North Carolina) clinched the silver medal with a time of 1:10.59. Three-time Paralympic medalist Elizabeth Smith (Muncie, Indiana) rounded out the podium, securing the bronze medal with a time of 1:13.94.
“It was a lot of fun,” said Aspden. “I’m just happy to be back in the one-ten’s. It’s always fun racing with these guys and a good close out to the meet.”
The Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center is the first venue in the United States to establish an integrated World Para Swimming timing and points system. All races are mixed class with results based on the World Para Swimming points system to create an equitable field of play among the different classes.
Sessions were streamed live on USParaSwimming.org/live-stream and on the U.S. Paralympics Swimming Facebook page. For full results from the third day of competition, click here. Follow U.S. Paralympics Swimming on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates and results from the team.
U.S. Paralympics Swimming’s next hosted event will be the 2023 Jimi Flowers Classic at the Colorado Springs Olympic and Paralympic Training Center June 17-18.
For media requests and photo inquiries, please contact Heidi Ledermann at heidi.ledermann@usopc.org.
MEDALISTS
Women’s 50m Backstroke
1. Karina Amayrani Hernandez Torres (MEX)
Men’s 50m Backstroke
1. Angel De Jesus Camacho Ramirez (MEX)
2. Abbas Karimi
3. Diego Lopez Diaz (MEX)
Women’s 200m Individual Medley
1. Olivia Chambers
1. Elizabeth Marks
3. Colleen Young
Men’s 200m Individual Medley
1. Ugo Didier (FRA)
2. Jesus Alberto Gutierrez Bermudez (MEX)
3. David Abrahams
Women’s 150m Individual Medley
1. Nely Edith Miranda Herrera (MEX)
2. Lidia Vieira Da Cruz (BRA)
Men’s 150m Individual Medley
1. Christopher Gregorio Tronco Sanchez (MEX)
2. Angel De Jesus Camacho Ramirez (MEX)
3. Gustavo Ramon Sanchez Martinez (MEX)
Women’s 100m Backstroke
1. Christie Raleigh Crossley
2. Hannah Aspden
3. Elizabeth Smith
Men’s 100m Backstroke
1. Ugo Didier (FRA)
2. Barry McClements (IRL)
3. Lawrence Sapp