Freshman Aaron Thomas to Race at the U.S. Paralympics Swimming National Championships

Hope College freshman Aaron Thomas is competing in the U.S. Paralympics Swimming National Championships this weekend.

Thomas will race in six long-course events at the Rosen Aquatic & Fitness Center in Orlando, Florida.

The native of DeWitt, Michigan (DeWitt HS) is missing in his left hand his pinkie, ring and middle fingers and his index finger only goes up to his first knuckle. Brachydactyly is a genetic condition, and it happens because of a gene mutation that affects bone growth.

Thomas shared his thoughts heading into the meet.

1. How many U.S. Paralympic events like this have you swam in?

Thomas: This is my fourth year competing in the U.S. Paralympics Swimming National Championships. The first year was in Greensboro, N.C., then we went to Charlotte, N.C., and we were in Orlando last year as well as this year. I've also competed in the World Para Swimming World Series USA meet for three years, with the first and third years being in Indianapolis and the second year being in Minnesota. Last summer I competed in the U.S. Paralympics Swimming Team Trials in Minnesota.

Four years ago, I attended this meet in hopes of getting classified and entering into the para swimming world. This is the first year that I am attending this meet as a member of the U.S. Paralympics Swimming National Team, so it has a little bit of a different feel.

2. What events are you swimming?

Thomas: I am swimming a total of six events this weekend. There are prelims and finals for most of these events (except the 200 breaststroke). On Friday, I am swimming the 400 freestyle as well as the 200 breast (just a timed final in the morning). On Saturday, I swim the 100 backstroke, 100 breast, and 50 free. On Sunday, I swim the 200 individual medley.

3. What are your goals for this week's meet?

Thomas: I've got a few goals for this meet for sure. Ideally, I would love to drop time in all of the events I am swimming. There's a few more specific goals as well. First, in the 400, I would like to get as close as I can to a World Championships cut (4:35.79, my current PR is a 4:49.30). In the 100 breast, I would like to achieve a C National Team Cut (1:15.68, my current time is a 1:18.52). Finally, in the 200 IM, I would like to make progress towards and even achieve a B National Team Cut (2:21.71, my current time is a 2:28.45). This would also achieve a World Championships cut. But overall, I would like to have fun, stay loose, and have a great meet.

4. How has your time training at Hope helped prepare you for this meet?

Thomas: I think my time training at Hope has definitely helped to prepare me for this meet in a lot of ways. First, the quality of the training is next-level. I've been pushed harder than I've ever been pushed before, both in the pool and in the weightroom. I am already seeing improvements and PRs at meets where I am tired and sore, so I am excited to see what I can do when I am rested. Secondly, going back to the weightlifting part, the things we do in the weightroom are really paying off. I feel much stronger than I ever have before and I can feel a difference in my strokes.

It's also been nice to train with the team. We all push each other to be better, and it's been nice to have that camaraderie even during the toughest of sets. I also have gotten unbelievable support from the whole team as I've prepared for this meet, which has been awesome. Finally, it has been nice to work with Coach [Jake] Taber, Coach [Dave] Jolly, and athletic staff like Coach [Dan] Margritz and [Kevin} Wolma. They all have my best interests in mind, and it has been great working with them throughout this semester to prepare me for this meet.

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Players Mentioned

Aaron Thomas: Freshman

Players Mentioned

Aaron Thomas
: Freshman