Shooting for the Olympic Trials Cut

National level swimmer since my teenage years.  I have a passion for the water-pool, lake, or ocean makes no difference.  I swam for UNCW and injured my neck in June 2013.  Two years later I was diagnosed with a neck injury and had a C6-C7 neck fusion (operation) in June 2015.  I suffer from permanent nerve damage and partial muscle atrophy bilaterally on my body.   I have a titanium plate and screws fusing two of my cervical vertebras together.


Despite this I competed at the 2016 Master Nationals.  I was the Champion in 50 and 100 free- runner up in the 100 fly.   In the 50 I went 20.78 This shows my potential to make the Olympic trials within just one year of a serious neck fusion.

http://www.usms.org/comp/scnats16/realtime/

 



My hope is to compete at TAC Titans Triangle Classic meet June 17th-19th.  There I will likely qualify for the 2016 Olympic Trials.  Money will go to meet entry, gas money, hotel money, and food.

-Funds would need to be raised very fast within the week

-I have raced since the age of 6 and I will continue to pursue my passion of going as fast as I can down the pool unitl I can no longer physically pursue my passion.
(Training buddies left and right- me center)

I would be very grateful for the chance to make the 2016 Olympic Trials within 1 year of my challenging C6-C7 neck surgery recovery.  It would truly prove an impressive and complete a major recovery goal, of mine.

Thank you all for reading my story!