Avon Girl, 11, Makes 2013 U.S. Paralympics Swimming World Championship Team

Breanna Sprenger, 11, continues to inspire, but this time at a World level.

The Avon girl, born without legs and just one arm, has made the 2013 U.S. Paralympics Swimming World Championship Team.

U.S. Paralympics, a division of the United States Olympic Committee announced on April 11 that 25 athletes have been selected nationally to compete for the United States at the 2013 International Paralympic Committee Swimming World Championships, Aug. 11-17, in Montreal, Canada. Sprenger is one of those athletes, and the only one from Ohio.

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

The event is the first major swimming competition since the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

Athletes were selected to compete in Montreal based on their performances at the 2013 U.S. Paralympics Spring Swimming National Championships/2013 Spring CanAm, which ended Saturday at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.

On Breanna’s “Team Breanna” Facebook page, the congratulations were swift and plentiful.

“Bre” finished first in the 100m backstroke and second in the 50 back, 50 free and 100 free.

The competition was a milestone for Breanna, who improved her times on all but her 100 back.

“She swam 3:54 for a 50 free, in 2011,” her mother, Carrie Sprenger said. “She is now at 2:32.”

Currently, the Avon Heritage North sixth-grader is ranked #1 in the World for the 100m backstroke and #2 in the World for the 50 free, 50 back, and 100 for S1 swimmers.

S1 represents the most handicapped classification.

Breanna began aquatic therapy at the Cleveland Clinic when she was only 3 years old in part to strengthen her core. Swimming soon became a major part of her life.

Asked if she had advice for others with similar lofty goals, she kept it simple: “Keep trying new things.”

Next up for Breanna is the University of Cincinnati-GTAC-Paralympic approved meet on May 10 and 11.

She will continue swimming with the French Creek YMCA Marlins and is considering adding additional training to her 3-day-a-week current schedule with Kim Audibert. That may mean more water time at Spire Institute Aquatics Facility in Geneva, Ohio which boasts an Olympic-sized pool.