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Gruen and Prout Clean Up at USA Swimming National Disability Championships
CSI athletes Deborah Gruen (HNHS) and Michael Prout (UN) competed in the USA Swimming Disability Championships, June 13-15th, at the famed Weyerhauser Aquatic Center in Federal Way, Washington. They joined approximately 140 other world-class athletes competing for berths on the World Championships team.
Gruen,14, in her usual style, captured two American Records in the 800M (12:40.15) and 1500M Freestyle (24:26.38) events and broke her own World Record in the 1500M Freestyle as well. Qualifying for finals in all her preliminary events, Deb chose to compete in finals in five events finishing first or second in all five events.
Attending his first national meet was Michael Prout, 16, who found the meet anything but intimidating. Prout grabbed five American Records and two World Records. American Records include: 200M Freestyle (2:12.89), 800M Freestyle (9:28.58), 200M Butterfly (2:32.05), 400M Freestyle (4:35.03) and the 1500M Freestyle (17:57.39). Michael's 800M and 1500M Freestyle events were fast enough to give him the World Records as well in the S9 classification. Michael also earned the Phillips 66 Performance of the Meet Award for his 1500M swim.
Congratulations to Deborah and Michael!
Also attending the USA Disability Championships were Mary-Christine Beck, April Sporbert of the Waves and their coach Tammie, Ken Block, CSI Referee and Leanne Spletzer, USA Swimming Vice-President and former CSI General Chair.