Coldstream’s Jacob Brayshaw brought home gold from the U.S. Paralympic Swimming Championships in the Tucson, Az. desert.
Brayshaw, 16, of Okanagan Para-Swimming won gold in the 50m breaststroke in his S2 division (people in this class have limited use of their arms, and no or extremely limited use of their hands, legs and trunk. Swimmers in this class have a variety of different disabilities including cerebral palsy and amputations. Brayshaw suffers from muscular dystrophy).
Brayshaw also set a new Canadian record in the 200m freestyle.
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Only gold medals were awarded at the meet.
“What a great meet it was,” said Brayshaw’s coach, Renate Terpstra of Vernon. “Jacob’s first international swim meet and he sets one Canadian para-swimming record in the S2 200m freestyle and wins a gold medal. There were also a lot of new friendships made.
More than 130 swimmers from Canada, the U.S., Costa Rica and Japan took part in the championships at the outdoor Oro Valley Aquatic Centre in Tucson, a 50-metre facility.
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Brayshaw qualified for the event by establishing time trial qualification standards.
Terpstra did double-duty in Tucson, as she also coached Caden Hyde, 15, of Chilliwack, whose regular coach was unable to attend. Hyde won two gold medals in the 100m breast and 100m backstroke.
roger@vernonmorningstar.com
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