Preparing for the World Championships

In just a few days, Breanna and I will board a plane for Montreal, Canada. Montreal is the host city to the 2013 IPC Swimming World Championships. This will be Breanna’s first time representing Team USA and competing on a world stage chasing the gold. Over 500 swimmers from nearly 60 countries will be competing.

In April, Bre competed at the Can-Am championships in Minnesota. Because of her performance, she was nominated to the Paralympic Worlds Team. As a family we were very excited for her. It was an honor to be nominated, but we knew she would still face final team selection. Also, she swims in a class with only a few in the world, so we thought she’d likely get scratched but still what an honor to be recognized by the Paralympic Team.

Regardless of the final team selection, Bre’s goals didn’t change, she continued to practice weekly and follow the progress of fellow swimmers on the team to see who would be attending the World Championships. Over the weeks following Can-Am’s other countries would announce their team rosters but nothing yet for Team USA.

Bre continued her practice schedule and being nominated meant no time to rest, practice, practice, practice. Coach Kim trained as if she was already on the team; she knew if Bre got the call she was going to be ready.

Weeks had passed, more countries announced their team rosters and we continued to wait for USA. Then on June 11th, I received a text from Breanna’s teammate asking me, “Where’s Bre, I have some news”. I knew then, something big was coming for her. Of course I couldn’t get a hold of mom or Bre, she was at swim practice and no phone on deck. As I raced to the pool, mom had received the official email, the Team USA Roster, 25 swimmers listed and only one from Ohio, Breanna Sprenger. When I finally arrived at the pool her brother, sister, and mom already knew, and Coach Kim and Bre were just finishing up the practice. As we tried to contain our excitement to surprise Bre with the news, she could see something was up, maybe the smiles on our faces gave it away, or the tears running down mom and dads face, but yet still smiling. 

We showed her the email. It took a minute, Bre wanted to read the whole email and there it was, the team roster. As she scanned the names, she paused for a moment and then she started wheeling around in her chair saying “I made it! I made it”!

Since the announcement it has been all business for Bre, she practices at the French Creek YMCA pool and travels to Geneva to workout at Spire in the 50 meter Olympic pool to prepare her for competition. Recently she received her Paralympic gear, shirts, a duffel bag and the swim cap, not just any cap but the official Team USA cap, branded with the American flag and her last name. This made it official, Bre was on the team and she will be representing Team USA in Montreal, Canada.

As Bre gets prepared to compete, I prepare to travel with her. I’m going as a team aid, helping with Bre and other swimmers on deck. Bre will joke that I get to carry her bags, which is true but I also have the rare opportunity to be on deck with the best swimmers in the world all competing for gold.

You can share in the experience by watching Bre and her teammates compete online. Competition starts on August 12th with opening ceremonies and closes out August 18th. Bre will be swimming the 50M Backstroke on Aug. 14th, prelims in the AM with a possibility of making the finals later.

Where to watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Plz-wvLlT40

Updates also at: https://www.facebook.com/TeamBreanna

Follow her on Twitter @SwimBre

How you can support Breanna.

Team Breanna

P.O. Box 422

Avon, OH 44011

Huntington National Bank

Acct: “Team Breanna”

Breanna has been able to fulfill her goals of swimming at a Paralympic level through the support and gifts from her followers, friends and family.