Breanna On Her Way: International Competition Is Next Step

Avon’s Breanna Sprenger is ready to take on the world. Literally.

Breanna, the “miracle” Avon girl born with no legs and one arm, has been making headlines for years for her accomplishments as a swimmer.

Next week, she will compete in the 2013 IPC (International Paralympic Committee) Swimming World Championships.

In April, Breanna, who will be a seventh-grader in the fall, found out she made the U. S. Paralympic team after an all-star performance at the CanAm games, but there was a glitch.

“We expected her to be scratched,” her father, John Sprenger said. Still, the nomination alone was exciting.

“We truly felt the nomination was a big deal.”

Sprenger said the lack of international competition in her S1 class meant it was unlikely she would compete. Instead, the International Paralympic Committee moved Breanna up a division because she was competing so well.

She will be one of 25 team members competing Aug. 12-18 in Montreal, and the only athlete from Ohio.

“I am honored to be part of the U.S. Paralympic Team, and very excited,” Breanna said in April.

The family is leaving Sunday, Aug. 11. John will be one of Breanna’s official aides and he and his daughter will head up Thursday for opening ceremonies.

“It’s like a mini Paralympics,” John Sprenger said. The Paralympics were last held in 2012 in London. “We travel, eat and work out with the team.”

For Breanna, 12, there’s another big challenge.

“She’s never been separated (from her family) at this level,” Sprenger said. “I can be that support.”

Sprenger will be posting a blog on Avon-Avon Lake Patch to keep Breanna’s fans updated through the competition. Her followers will also be able to watch Breanna compete live on streaming video and follow updates on the Team Breanna Facebook page.

The family held a garage sale last weekend to help defray the cost of Breanna’s mother, Carrie and younger siblings Paighten,and Chase.

Donations to help the family make the trip are being accepted at “Team Breanna, P.O. Box 422

Avon, OH 44011” or at Huntington National Bank under the “Team Breanna” account.