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Fairfield U. Incoming Freshman Qualifies for Paralympic Swim Team

FAIRFIELD, Conn. – A St. Louis swimmer set to attend Fairfield University in the fall broke an American and Pan American record at the U.S. Paralympic Team Trials and now has her sights set on Brazil.

Colleen Young

Colleen Young

Photo Credit: Contributed

Colleen Young competed in four events at the Trials competition at the Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center in Charlotte, N.C., from June 30 to July 2, finishing first in three events and second in one, according to a statement from Fairfield U.

On day one of the trials, Young swam the 100 breaststroke, finishing first in 1:16.72, a new American and Pan American record. Day two saw Young earn a victory in the 50 freestyle with a time of 28.54, according to the statement. On the final day of the competition, Young competed in the 200 individual medley and the 100 backstroke, finishing second and first, respectively with times of 2:31.82 and 1:13.75.

When the U.S. Paralympics Team was announced on Sunday, July 3, Young was among 21 women on the roster. It will be her second Paralympic appearance after competing in the 2012 London games.

Young joins fellow incoming Fairfield freshman Ore Cherebin of St. George, Grenada, who will represent her country in the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Cherebin had already qualified for the games in the 100 butterfly and 100 breaststroke and will be competing for the first time.

Joining Young and Cherebin will be Fairfield University Swimming and Diving Head Coach Janelle Atkinson-Wignall, who is set to serve as an ESPN Caribbean Commentator during the Olympic games.

Both the 2016 Paralympic Games and the 2016 Summer Olympics are set to kick off later this summer in Rio De Janeiro. The Paralympics are scheduled to begin on Sept. 7 while the Olympic games are scheduled to start on Aug. 5.

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