Two-time Paralympic Games medalist Hannah Aspden of the YMCA of the Triangle Area (YOTA) Swim Team in Raleigh, North Carolina has verbally committed to swim for Queens University of Charlotte. A rising senior from Raleigh, NC, Aspden was the youngest swimmer to medal for Team USA in Rio. Specializing in backstroke and freestyle events, Aspden currently holds 11 Paralympic American Records. She is a 4-time member of the U.S Paralympic National Team, and is also a USA Swimming Scholastic All-American.
Her coach, Andrew Rogers of YOTA, had this to say about Hannah’s big announcement:
“Hannah is an amazing young woman with a bright future, both in and out of the pool. She is a perfect fit for the program at Queens University of Charlotte and will continue to thrive under the leadership of Head Coach Jeff Dugdale. In addition to getting a top notch education, Hannah is excited to join her future Queens teammates in winning medals at championship meets around the world.”
At the 2016 Paralympics in Rio, Aspden’s 100m backstroke time of 1:10.67 (LCM) earned her a bronze medal and broke the Paralympic American Record that had been previously set in Beijing in 2008. She went on to also earn a bronze medal in the Women’s 34-point Medley Relay, again swimming backstroke, and helped to set a new relay American Record. Aspden was born without her left leg and competes in the S9 class.
Says Hannah:
“There were a lot of specific things that I was looking for in a college, and Queens has them all! An incredible environment for both athletics and academics, great people, an awesome community and team family – I’m thrilled to be joining the Royal family as I continue my swimming career and train for Tokyo 2020!”
Hannah will begin in the fall of 2018 at Queens University of Charlotte.
Press Release courtesy of YOTA Swim Team.