Dec. 12, 2005
NORMAL, Ill. -
Illinois State swimmer Jennifer Durrant competed this weekend in the US Paralympics Open Swimming Championships in Minneapolis, Minn. The open this weekend involved 150-250 athletes with a range of disabilities from 16 different countries. Durrant advanced on both Friday and Saturday to the final rounds of competition.
Within each event there are different categories comprised of athletes according to their disability. Durrant, an Oak Forest, Ill. native was born with congenital deficiency of the tibia and has been competing in the Paralympics for four years. On Friday Durrant competed in the 200-meter individual medley, placing second in her category with a time of 3:03.44. She also competed in the 400-meter freestyle, placing third with a time of 5:36.76.
"I was pleased with my time in the 200 IM," Durrant said. " I didn't do as well as I hoped in the other events, but sometimes you have to take what you can get. I did get to compete in my level of competition which was better for me emotionally."
On Saturday Durrant advanced to the finals in two events, the 100-meter backstroke and the 100-meter freestyle. She took third in the backstroke with a time of 1:22.59 and she took fourth in the 100-meter freestyle with a time of 1:15.47.
Not only did this weekend give Durrant the opportunity to compete with same level of competition, but she also got to relax and enjoy her time as well.
"I got time to see a lot of my friends this weekend," Durrant said. "I only get to see them once or twice a year. This weekend was fun and I really feel that I got good training for my season at Illinois State."
Further information about this weekend's competition can be found at www.usparalympics.org. The Redbirds' next competition is December 31 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. at the Ed Kennedy Meet.
