Anna Johannes, shown her after a recent practice, is bringing home gold from Colombia (Tracy A. Woodward, The Washington Post).
Mount Vernon High junior Anna Johannes, 16, won five golds and one silver medal in six events at the Youth Parapan American Games, Bogota, Colombia, taking a major step toward her goal of qualifying for the 2012 Paralympics in London.
Johannes, who competed in the 16-18 age group against athletes from North, South and Central America, opened the competition Tuesday with victories in the 400-meter freestyle (5 minutes, 23.38 seconds) and 100 breast (1:31.30).
On Wednesday, she won the 100 backstroke in 1:24.07 and 200 medley in 2:53.29. She closed the event with a win Thursday in the 100 freestyle (1:12.90) and a silver-medal finish in the 100 fly (1:19.50). Americans Miranda Uhl, 17, and Cody Boreau, 21, also claimed five gold medals, according to the event’s Web site.
“It was pretty exhausting, but a lot of fun,” Johannes said during a layover in Houston Friday. “I definitely got there and did what I had to do.”
Johannes struggled to adjust to the high altitude (8,500 feet), so some of her times did not meet her expectations. Her performance, however, confirmed that she is one of the top Paralympic prospects in the world. Anna Johannes was born with no left arm below the elbow.
Though the event lacked many of the older stars that populate disabled swimming because of its age limitations, Johannes gained valuable experience while making a strong statement to U.S. Paralympic officials. She is considered a candidate for next year’s U.S. Olympic Committee’s residency program in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Johannes, who swims for the Potomac Marlins under Steve Ercolano, will compete next at the Potomac Valley Swimming November Open Nov. 6-8 at the Cub Run Recreation Center.
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