Taylor Winnett (born April 24, 1999) is an American Paralympic swimmer who will represent the United States at the 2024 Summer Paralympics.

Taylor Winnett
Personal information
NationalityAmerican
Born (1999-04-24) April 24, 1999 (age 25)
Hershey, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Sport
SportParalympic swimming
DisabilityEhlers–Danlos syndrome
Disability classS10, SM10, SB9
Medal record
Women's paralympic swimming
Representing  United States
Parapan American Games
Gold medal – first place 2023 Santiago 100 m backstroke S10
Gold medal – first place 2023 Santiago 100 m butterfly S10
Gold medal – first place 2023 Santiago 200 m ind. medley SM10
Silver medal – second place 2023 Santiago 100 m freestyle S10
Silver medal – second place 2023 Santiago 400 m freestyle S10
Silver medal – second place 2023 Santiago 100 m breaststroke SB9
Silver medal – second place 2023 Santiago 4 × 100 m relay 34 pts

Early life and education

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Winnett was born on April 24, 1999, in Hershey, Pennsylvania. She committed to swim at Loyola University Maryland, the summer before her senior year in high school. In August 2016, she flipped over on a jet ski and herniated two discs in her spine. In October 2016, she fell during calculus class and suffered a fractured vertebrae and a Tarlov cyst at the base of her spine. She was then diagnosed with Ehlers–Danlos syndrome and Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.[1]

She was forced to complete her senior year of high school online and decommitted from college swimming. Her physical therapist at Johns Hopkins Hospital suggested she start swimming again, and her swim coach at Loyola suggested she get involved in Para swimming. After two-and-a-half years of pain management and rehabilitation, she received her classification in 2019 at the Bill Keating Cincinnati Para Swimming Open.[2]

Career

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Winnett represented the United States at the 2023 Parapan American Games where she was the most decorated U.S. athlete at the games with seven medals. She won three gold medals and four silver medals.[3] During the 100 meter butterfly S10 event she set a Parapan American Games record with a time of 1:09.35.[4][5]

On June 30, 2024, Winnett was named to team USA's roster to compete at the 2024 Summer Paralympics.[6]

Personal life

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Winnett began swimming at the age of four, her mother was a swim coach, while her older sister was also a swimmer. She is married to Spc. Jeric Winnett, a combat engineer with the 595th Sapper Company in the Army.[7]

References

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  1. ^ "From Rock Bottom to National Bronze Medalist". yoocanfind.com. February 6, 2022. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  2. ^ Price, Karen (April 3, 2024). "A Former D1 Commit, Taylor Winnett Is Leaving Nothing To Chance In Her Second Act As A Swimmer". usparaswimming.org. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  3. ^ "Team USA Triumphs At 2023 Parapan American Games". usopc.org. November 26, 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  4. ^ "Austin, Winnett & Nuhfer Break Parapan Am Records For U.S. On Day 5 In Santiago". swimswam.com. November 23, 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  5. ^ Price, Karen (December 15, 2023). "10 Athletes To Watch At This Weekend's Para Swimming National Championships". teamusa.com. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  6. ^ Gowdy, Kristen (June 30, 2024). "U.S. Paralympics Swimming Roster Announced for 2024 Paralympic Games". usparaswimming.org. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  7. ^ Sullivan, Amanda (May 19, 2022). "Para-swimmer, military spouse defies the odds through personal courage". army.mil. Retrieved July 1, 2024.