Gardner-Webb Swimmers Recognized at 2009 Can-Am Swimming Championships
March 25, 2009 | Swimming
Mallory Weggemann and Tucker Dupree, of the Gardner-Webb
swimming program, combined for 13 gold medals and 13 national
titles in the 2009 Spring Can-Am Swimming Championships in Gresham,
Oregon on March 19-21. The event marked the first major swimming
competition since the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, hosting
some of the world's top swimmers from the United States, Canada,
and Columbia.
Gardner-Webb newcomer Mallory Weggemann (Eagan, Minn.), who has
been swimming for the Paralympics for less than year, shattered six
American and Pan American records in her first official swim
competition at the Can-Am Championships.
In doing so, the U.S. Paralympic Women's Swimming National Team
added her to their roster, making her the 39th swimmer on the
team. Her record-breaking swim in the 400 freestyle officially
made Weggemann the newest member of the National Team. The
Gardner-Webb freshman lowered the mark by more than 21 seconds,
finishing in a time of 5:27.66.
"I was shocked when I looked up to see my time," said Weggemann.
"My coach wanted me to go a 5.37.00, but when I saw I went 5.27.66
I was really excited."
"It was a goal of mine coming into this meet to make the National
Team," said Weggemann. "Now that I did it I just want to have fun
with it."
Weggemann should have plenty of reasons to celebrate as she also
set new national records in the 200 freestyle, 100 freestyle, 50
freestyle, 100 back, and 100 fly.
Also competing was fellow Bulldog, Tucker Dupree (Raleigh, N.C.).
Dupree, a freshman at Gardner-Webb, also had a stellar performance
at the Can-Am Championships, winning seven gold medals, claiming
seven national titles.
The 2008 paralympian recorded wins in the 50 back, 100 back, 50
freestyle, 100 freestyle, 200 freestyle, 100 fly, and 200
Individual Medley.
This summer, both swimmers will attempt to qualify for the 2009
World Championships, Nov. 25 – Dec. 7, in Rio De Janeiro,
Brazil.
Listed Below is the Official Events and Times of both swimmers.
Women's 50m Free – Mallory Weggemann – 35.11 (1)
Women's 100m Back – Mallory Weggemann– 1.35.47 (1)
Women's 100m Fly – Mallory Weggemann – 1:29.42 (1)
Women's 100m Free – Mallory Weggemann – 1:16.09 (1)
Women's 200m Free – Mallory Weggemann – 2:42.06 (1)
Women's 400m Free – Mallory Weggemann – 5:27.66 (1)
Men's 50m Free – Tucker Dupree – 25.60 (1)
Men's 50m Back – Tucker Dupree – 30.24 (1)
Men's 100m Free – Tucker Dupree – 56.17 (1)
Men's 100m Fly – Tucker Dupree – 1:06.80 (1)
Men's 100m Back – Tucker Dupree – 1:05.37 (1)
Men's 200 Free – Tucker Dupree – 2:08.71 (1)
Men's 200m IM – Tucker Dupree – 2.27.32 (1)
