Hannah Aspden

Hannah Elizabeth Aspden is an American swimmer. She was the youngest swimmer on Team USA to medal at either the Olympics or Paralympics in 2016. During the 2019-20 season at Queens University of Charlotte, Aspden broke two American Paralympic Short Course Meters Swimming records in both the 100-Meter Backstroke and the 100-Meter Freestyle.

Early life

Aspen was born to mother Jennifer Aspden in Raleigh, North Carolina, without her left leg.[1] She learned to swim at the age of four because she wanted to enter the deep end of the pool at the local YMCA. By the age of 10, she competed in her first swim meet where she met retired Paralympic swimmer Elizabeth Stone.[2] Two years later, Aspden was named to the US Emerging Team roster and became the youngest member on Team USAs National roster at the age of 13.[3]

Aspen attended Quest Academy Charter School for grades 7 and 8 before Leesville High School.[4]

Career

Aspen qualified for Team USAs roster, where she would competed in the S9/SB8/SM9 classifications, in 2014 by a margin of .01 seconds.[5] As a result, she made her national team debut at the 2014 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships and swam a time of 30.47.[6]

Aspen made her Paralympic debut at the 2016 Summer Paralympics, where she became the youngest swimmer on Team USA to medal at either the Olympics or Paralympics in 2016. Aspen earned a bronze medal in the 100-meter backstroke and another third place finish in the 4x100-meter medley.[7] The following year, she was named to Team USAs 2017 World Championships Team,[8] and committed to attend Queens University of Charlotte.[9]

At the 2018 Pan Pacific Para Swimming Championships, Aspen won a silver medal in the 4x100 medley.[10] The following year, Aspen earned a gold medal at the S9 women’s 100 back sweep and 400 freestyle at the 2019 Parapan American Games.[11] During the school year, Aspen competed in six swim meets and broke two American Paralympic Short Course Meters Swimming records for the 100-Meter Backstroke and 100-Meter Freestyle.[12]

References
  1. Iszler, Madison (October 16, 2016). "Raleigh Paralympic swimmer: 'I don't want to make any excuses'". The News & Observer. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  2. Peralta, Katherine (July 1, 2016). "16-year-old NC swimmer among youngest vying for a spot on U.S. Paralympic team". Charlotte Observer. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  3. "Hannah Aspden conquers illness in time for Rio Paralympics". North State Journal. August 28, 2016. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  4. "Meet Hannah - Former Quest Academy Student". questcharter.org. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
  5. Lieberman, Stuart (November 30, 2017). "After Hard-Earned Medals in Rio, Paralympic Swimmer Hannah Aspden Hungry For More At Worlds". teamusa.org. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
  6. Goddard, Emily (August 6, 2014). "Silverman smashes 400m freestyle world record at Pan Pacific Para-Swimming Championships". insidethegames.biz. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
  7. Price, Karen (August 7, 2019). "No Longer The Youngest, Paralympic Swimmer Hannah Aspden Embraces Her Leadership Role". teamusa.org. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
  8. Truby, Olivia (July 28, 2017). "U.S. Paralympics Swimming Names 2017 World Championships Team". teamusa.org. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
  9. Pruden, Cathleen (July 11, 2017). "Queens Gets Verbal Commitment from Paralympic Medalist Hannah Aspden". swimmingworldmagazine.com. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
  10. D'Addona, Daniel (April 20, 2018). "U.S. Paralympic Athletes Earn Five Gold at World Para Swimming World Series". swimmingworldmagazine.com. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
  11. Hart, Torrey (August 28, 2019). "HANNAH ASPDEN LEADS US PODIUM SWEEP FOR 2ND CONSECUTIVE NIGHT AT PARAPAN AMS". swimswam.com. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
  12. "Hannah Aspden". queensathletics.com. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
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