Fairfield incoming Freshman Colleen Young Qualifies for Paralympic Swim Team; St. Louis Native sets Record in Trials

FAIRFIELD, Conn. ? Colleen Young is on her way to Rio de Janiero! The future Fairfield University swimmer qualified for the United States Paralympic Team at the Trials in Charlotte, North Carolina at the Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center from June 30 through July 2. Over three days, the St. Louis native swam in four events earning three first place finishes, one second place finish, while setting a new American and Pan American record. On Day one, her lone event was the 100 breaststroke in which she finished first in 1:16.72, a new American and Pan American record. On Friday, Young earned a victory in the 50 freestyle with a time of 28.54. Young joins fellow incoming Fairfield freshman Ore Cherebin of St. George, Grenada, who will represent her country in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil. The future Stag amphibian had already qualified, and will compete for the first time in the Olympics, garnering the Grenadian colors at the Commonwealth Games in 2014, the FINA World Championships in 2013 and 2015, and the 2015 Pan American games. Cherebin will be competing in the 100 butterfly and 100 breaststroke events. The 2016 Summer Olympics will get underway on August 5th in Rio. Back to the amazing Young: on the final day of the 2016 trials, the future Stag competed in the 200 individual medley and the 100 backstroke. She finished second in the 200 IM, clocking in at 2:31.82. Then she placed first in the 100 back touching the wall in 1:13.75 to close out the trials. U.S. Paralympics announced their 2016 Swimming Team on Sunday, and Young was among the 21 women on the roster. The team will compete at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio beginning on September 7. For Young, it will be her second Paralympic appearance after competing in 2012 in the London games. Along with Fairfield University Swimming and Diving Head Coach Janelle Atkinson-Wignall, who will serve as an ESPN Caribbean Commentator for the Olympic Games, the Stags will be well represented in Rio.