Morgan Stickney sets record as USA swimmers flood the podium

NANTERRE, France — American para swimmer Morgan Stickney dominated the field in the 400-meter freestyle SM7 final, winning by a stunning 17 seconds and setting a Paralympic record time of 4:53.88.

The win was the second gold of the Games for the two-time Paralympian from Cary, North Carolina, who said she was at ease from the moment she stepped into La Défense Arena Monday. 

“I didn’t really feel any pressure going in tonight,” Stickney said. “I knew that I could rise up to the occasion.”

After racing in front of an empty arena in Tokyo, Stickney felt the comfort of her family cheering her on as she competed on the world stage.

“We all have family here and we didn't have that in Tokyo,” she said. “So it's just really special to be able to see the flag all over the stands and see them all rooting for us.”

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Stickney also received a boost from two of her American teammates who joined her in the final as Paralympic veterans McKenzie Coan and Ahalya Lettenberger also swam in the race. 

Coan snuck in for silver ahead of Italian Giulia Terzi, securing the 1-2 finish for the American women.

“When you’re a part of Team USA, you’re a part of a family,” Stickney said. “We don’t succeed on our own. We succeed when we become one.”

As the anthem played, Coan and Stickney embraced the moment together, waving at family and friends from the podium. Coan was visibly emotional after winning her first medal in four Paralympic appearances.

“It's incredible to be able to hear that anthem and know all of your hard work has paid off,” said Coan. “It's something that's very special that no one can ever take.”

Stickney and Coan sparked what would become a busy night for the American women. Team USA was able to land three swimmers in both the 400m freestyle SM7 final and 50m freestyle S13 final, filling up the maximum number of spots a country can occupy in an event.

Gia Pergolini returns to the podium

The infectious energy continued through Team USA in the finals of the women’s 50 freestyle S13.

Gia Pergolini squeaked in for silver in a tight race, adding another Paralympic medal to her resume. Pergolini stopped the clock at 27.51 seconds, just nine one-hundredths of a second ahead of Italian bronze medalist Carlotta Gilli.

 Like Stickney, Pergolini swam as if there was no pressure.

“Being able to get silver is just amazing,” Pergolini said. “I mean, the 50 free is my least stressful event. It's my so-called fun event and so I just left it all in the pool.”

Pergolini was fueled by the 1-2 finish earlier in the session from Stickney and Coan. Each event group took turns watching each other’s races, cheering from the sidelines.

“Just seeing how much they dominated their events and them being here for us, it’s just really amazing,” Pergolini said. “I just love them to death.”

Once again, the U.S. put three swimmers in the final, taking up almost half of the championship heat. The final included three of the four members of Team USA’s favorite friend group, bringing their positive spirit and best dance moves.

Olivia Chambers and Grace Nuhfer joined Pergolini in the heat and finished fourth and eighth in the final.

Although it wasn’t the result both competitors were looking for, they said they were grateful for the opportunity to race beside one another.

“Team USA has some amazing women and you know, to have two separate races with all three women back is actually really crazy,” Chambers said. “I couldn't be more proud of them and it's just so cool to get up and see what we can do.”