Swimmer McKenzie Coan of Clarkesville made the U.S. Paralympics Swimming World Championship Team this week. Her selection means she’ll move on to represent the USA at the 2015 IPC Swimming World Championships this summer in Glasgow, Scotland.
Diagnosed with osteogenesis imperfecta or “brittle bone disease” as a child, McKenzie lives most of her life in a wheelchair but few can match her speed once she hits the water. She currently holds the American record in the 1000 yard freestyle and came 6th in the 400 meter freestyle during the 2012 Paralympic Games in London, England.
Coan left Habersham County to attend college at Loyola University Maryland where she swims competitively for the Loyola Greyhounds. Her recent performance at the Speedo CanAm in Toronto this month secured her spot on the World Championship Team alongside 24 others.
The world championships will bring together around 650 swimmers from 50 countries to compete at Tollcross International Swimming Centre in Glasgow. The event will be the largest international competition before the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
