2013 Michigan Open – First competition of 2013

Getting back into the competition mood is such a great feeling.

As I was preparing and packing for the Michigan Open, an abled-body swim meet, was a very humbling moment for me…. as I was looking at all of my competition e swim suits and thinking, the last I put one of these on, I was in the London where I brought home 3 medals. Although the London Games are over, training never ends.

For the past 4 months, I have been training extremely hard and working on new stroke techniques, so this meet was a great opportunity to see where I am in my fitness training as well as to play around with new stroke techniques. This is an important time to experiment now as the 2013 U.S. Paralympics Swimming Springs Championships / Spring CanAm is just two months away.

Given my training cycle and this part of the season, I went into this meet tired and broken down. I competed in 4 sessions making finals both days and set new American Records in the 50 Meter Freestyle and the 100 Meter Butterfly. This was the first time that I have swam a short course meet since 2009. So this was great as I am much stronger and older in the sport of racing. So back to training I go as I prepare for the 2013 U.S. Paralympics Swimming Springs Championships / Spring CanAm held in Minneapolis, Minnesota in April.

2012 London Paralympic Games Videos

Check out all Tucker’s races, interviews, opening and closing ceremonies on Tucker’s YouTube Channel.

2012 London Paralympic Photos

07SEPT – 50 Freestyle – Bronze Medal

Tucker had a great day by breaking the American Record both in the prelims as well as in the finals with a time of 24.36 claiming the bronze medal. This was a great Paralympic Games with 125+ world records broken. Great Britian were excellent hosts and did an amazing job on all levels. Tucker will be participating in the Closing Ceremonies on Sunday wearing his silver and two bronze medals. Thanks for all your support and encouragement on this journey.

05SEPT – 100 Backstroke – Finals – Silver Medal

The finals were indeed a nail  biter. Tucker did claim the silver and setting a new American Record with a time of 1:01.36, third place finished with a time of 1:01.55. Tucker has today off then on Friday he has the 50 freestyle with hopes of gold to complete the entire set of medals.

05SEPT – 100 Backstroke – Prelims

Tucker had another great race this morning qualifying for finals with a time of 1:02.36 and is seeded second. It will be another nail biter.

04SEPT – 100 Freestyle – Bronze Medal

Tucker had an outstanding evening, breaking his American record with a time of 54.41 and claiming the Bronze Medal. Next up is the 100 Backstroke. View Medal Ceremony.

04SEPT – 100 Freestyle Prelims

Another great race. Tucker swam a great race and qualified for the finals in the 100 Freestyle with a time of 55.10 seeded 3rd for tonights finals. World record is 50.91 and Paralympic record is 51.93. 1st place qualifying time was 52.63 and 2nd was 52.65, Tucker 3rd with a time of 55.10, 4th place with a time of 55.28 and 5th with a tiime of 55.33. Should be an exciting race. He looked great in the water. Please keep the good vibes coming to London.

02SEPT – 100 Butterfly Finals – 4th Place

Tucker had a great race this evening. He finished in 4th place with a time of 1:00.15 just out of the a third place medal by .15 seconds. It was an exciting race. Tucker will rest tomorrow then 100 Freestyle on Tuesday, 04SEPT.

02SEPT – 100 Butterfly Prelims

Tucker had a great morning competing in the 100 butterfly and qualifying for finals with a time of 59.89 which puts him second in the finals tonight.  Tucker looked great in the water.  First place qualified with a time of 57.53 and second through fifth place separating them by .73 seconds. Should be an exciting race.