Swimming to the top

Swimming to the top

Liberty High School junior makes the cut as one of 48 swimmers to compete for Team USA in the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo

By Brett Auten

A simple website click left Hallie Anderson flabbergasted.

Anderson, a standout swimmer at Liberty High School, had already posted a time swift enough in the 50-meter freestyle to qualify her for the United States Paralympics Swimming National Team. But it wasn’t certain that there was going to be any reconfiguration of the team for the 2020 Paralympic Games.

“So when they announced the team I just took a look to see and then I saw my name,” Anderson said. “I was like, this isn’t reality. Someone is messing with me.”

Anderson, 16, suffers from a brittle bone

disease, in addition to other medical conditions that affect her muscles. Anderson has had over 21 different bone fractures in various places over the years. She and her family received the diagnosis when Anderson was just 10-years-old.

“There were a lot of instances growing up that was telling us that I had this,” she said. “Definitely, in the beginning, we were extremely cautious about every little bump.”

Just this past summer, she slipped and broke her T6 vertebrae and three other fractures. But she recovered smoothly and swiftly and was ready to press on.

“I have a lot more freedoms now that I’m a lot more responsible,” Anderson said. “I have played a lot of other sports. It doesn’t stop

Anderson has been swimming competitively for several years and is very versatile in the pool, excelling in the 100 breaststroke, 100 butterfly and 50 freestyle. She officially became a para-athlete last year after it was brought to her attention that her condition would qualify her. The Paralympics involves athletes with a range of disabilities, including impaired muscle power, impaired passive range of movement, limb deficiency, leg length difference, short stature, vision impairment and intellectual impairment. me. My freshman and sophomore years I ran cross country.”

As a sophomore, Anderson qualified to compete at State in the 200 Free Relay and the 100 Fly. She is the Jr. National Record Holder in the 100 Freestyle in Indiana. Recently at the Para National CAN AM meet in Arizona, she placed second in the 200 Free, second in the 100 Fly, third in the 200 Individual Medley (IM) and third in the 50 Free.

Liberty swim coach Danielle Althage calls Anderson a great athlete and all-around person.

“She works hard at each practice and is someone that her teammates can look to for advice or simply a smile,” Althage said. “I am extremely proud of her. She has become very self-aware in knowing what she needs to do to push herself and when she needs to slow down for a minute, which isn’t easy for a competitive athlete. We are very excited to see where this new journey will take her.”

The team, which was announced by the U.S. Paralympics (a division of the United States Olympic Committee), features 35 women and 13 men, including 21 past Paralympians who have won 62 medals for Team USA. Anderson made the Emerging Team for USA Paralympics last year and the National Team this year.

“With the Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 right around the corner, this will be a very important season for Team USA,” Queenie Nichols, Director of U.S. Paralympics Swimming, said. “The 48 athletes named to the national team have all worked very hard to make it this far, but there is plenty of work to be done as we gear up for Tokyo.”

When not keeping up with the rigorous training schedule, Anderson enjoys playing guitar and piano and hanging out with her dog. But once she’s submerged in clear, chlorinated water, the combination of inclusion and competition make for a happy recipe.

“Swimming is something that everyone can do so I never felt excluded,” she said. “When the coach says swim 1,000 (meters), I can do it too. It’s almost an escape for me. I also love the competition aspect. That is a big drawing factor. It is one of the best experiences and adrenaline rushes I could have.”

Photo courtesy Wentzville School District Hallie Anderson, a standout swimmer at Liberty High School, will compete at the the 2020 Paralympic Games.