Queens University swimmers prepare to represent USA at Parapan American Games

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In a matter of just six weeks, a pair of swimmers from Queens University of Charlotte will head for Lima, Peru, to represent the United States at the Parapan American Games.

Hannah Aspden and Carson Sanocki are two members of the 35-person US Paralympics swimming team.

Aspden, a rising sophomore, is competing for the red, white and blue for the sixth summer in a row. It'll be Sanocki's first time competing at this level.

“This is all kind of surreal to me,” Sanocki said. “It’s an honor to represent the U.S.”

Sanocki is a Charlotte native, who was a standout swimmer at Providence Day School.

He was born with optic nerve hypoplasia, which causes vision loss.

“I have to rely on stroke counts more than other people to know exactly where I am in the pool, because my depth perception isn’t great,” he said.

Sanocki is part of a dominant swim team at Queens, which netted its fifth straight NCAA Division II national title in March.

Aspden was born without her left leg due to congenital hip disarticulation. She’s earned two bronze medals in her previous five Paralympics and now has transitioned in her role with the team.

“At a meet like this, I’m hoping to, as a veteran athlete, move into a bit of a leadership role and just kind of help mentor those newer swimmers,” she said.

The Parapan American Games begin Aug. 23.

Cox Media Group