MIchelle Konkoly is one of two team USA swimming captains for the 2016 Paralympics (Photo courtesy Paul Yetter)
First-time Paralympian Michelle Konkoly and fourth-time Paralympian Rudy Garcia-Tolson have been named as the captains of the 2016 U.S. Paralympic swim team.
The pair are at very different stages of their Paralympic careers, but both are contenders for medals in Rio when the Games start in less than two weeks.
Konkoly, a 24-year old who trains at T2 Aquatics in Southwest Florida under Paul Yetter, is a relative newcomer to international swimming. She had a breakout season last year, competing in her first World Championship meet, and winning 3 silver medals in the 50 free, 100 free as an S9, and 34 point 400 free relay.
She will also enter the Paralympics as the World Record holder in the S9 50 free thanks to a 28.24 set (twice) earlier this year.
Garcia-Tolson, a 27-year old who trains in Colorado Springs, is a Paralympic veteran. He won medals at the 2004, 2008, and 2012 Paralympic Games that total to 2 golds, 1 silver, and 1 bronze, with a specialty in the 200 IM in the SM7 classification.
He’s not only a swimmer but is a multi-sport athlete who won silver in the long jump at the 2013 IPC Track & Field World Championships and in 2009 became the 1st bilateral above-knee amuptee to complete an ironman (which he did in 16:06).
Introducing your #TeamUSA U.S. Para-Swimming team captains for #Rio2016 – Michelle Konkoly and Rudy Garcia-Tolson! pic.twitter.com/QD7Outtiqe
— U.S. Paralympics Swimming (@USParaSwimming) August 27, 2016
The 2016 Paralympics run from September 7th-18th, with swimming running most of the duration of that period – from the 8th through the 17th. With 152 events, swimming will award over 25% of the medals given at the Paralympics – second only to Athletics (177 events).
I cannot wait to see Michelle Konkoly in action during the Paralympics. I wish her strength and speed. I meet her only once on a plane trip and enjoyed her enthusiastic outlook and her eagerness to motivate people. Win or lose the meet, she us already a superstar in my book.
God speed Michelle!