USD 480 Public Relations
Over Labor Day weekend, Liberal High School swimmer Brooklyn Quint traveled to Colorado Springs, Colorado, to compete in the prestigious Jimi Flowers Classic, an international swimming invitational hosted by the United States Olympic & Paralympic Swimming Committee (USOPC). The event was held at the Olympic & Paralympic Training Center.
Quint competed in the 50-meter freestyle, 100-meter freestyle, and 50-meter backstroke. Before the competition began, she underwent a classification evaluation by a panel of doctors, physical therapists, and officials. Paralympic swimming classifications range from S1 to S14, with S1 representing the most severe physical limitations and S14 the least. Based on her mobility and swimming ability, Quint earned an S8 classification.
Her journey to the competition began in early July when her mother, Shawna, learned about the invitational and Brooklyn’s potential to qualify. After registering, Quint was selected just two weeks later. As a registered swimmer with USA Swimming through her involvement with the Southwest Aquatics Team and Western Kansas Swim Club, she received her official USA Swimming ID, making her eligible for invitation.
Once selected, Quint dedicated herself to training, swimming 45 days straight at Adventure Bay Waterpark and the Seward County Community College pool in preparation for the event.
At the Jimi Flowers Classic, Quint trained alongside swimmers from across the globe. She connected with Sarah, a swimmer from Costa Rica with spina bifida, who competes in the S7 classification. Practicing with Sarah gave Quint valuable insights and new techniques to improve her strokes.
“The environment was so amazing!” Quint shared. “Seeing people with disabilities have so much determination and not letting their disabilities stop them was inspiring. There was one guy with no arms or legs who swam faster than many people who have all their limbs.”
The competition also came with challenges. “Swimming at 6,000 feet is a lot harder than swimming in Kansas,” she admitted. “And competing in a 50-meter pool was an adjustment since we usually only swim in one once a summer.”
A major milestone from the event was receiving an official Paralympic modification, which allows Quint to compete in more technical strokes such as the breaststroke without risk of disqualification due to limited leg use. “I got a modification that allows me to not get disqualified since I can’t use my legs very well,” she said. “I’m so excited to finally be able to swim the breaststroke for LHS this year.”
Quint proudly represented Liberal High School, wearing her Redskin swim cap, and delivered an impressive performance: 2nd place in the 50-meter backstroke and 50-meter freestyle, and 3rd place in the 100-meter freestyle in her classification.
“I will always rep the Redskins!” she said with a smile.
Looking ahead, Quint is eager to build on this experience. “I’m excited I got the opportunity to swim at the Paralympics invitational,” she said. “Someday, I hope to make it to the Olympic team and swim at the Paralympics.”