Shannon Dugdale Qualifies for Can Am Para-Swimming Championship

(Novato, CA) … In March 2017, Shannon Dugdale will compete in the Canadian American Para-swimming championships. This event brings together the best Para-swimmers from both Canada and the United States, and often other international competitors.  As a Novato High Senior, Shannon has been swimming for over 10 years and has been a member of the NHS swim team since her freshman year. 

At the start of her junior year, she decided to train for her first National Para-Swim meet.  In order to participate you must be assessed and receive a national classification ranking.  National Classification is done at 5 meets in the US, and only 1 in California. Swimmers with a physical impairment are ranked from 1-10.  A lower number indicates the athlete has an impairment that more severely disrupts activity.

 Shannon is currently ranked as a S6, and has qualified to swim any of the 4 strokes.  On October 1 Shannon dove in for her final race – 50m Fly of the California Classic Para Swim meet.  Her stroke was strong and she raced to the wall qualifying for her first International meet.

 During the high school swim season Shannon, swims on average 1-1/5 miles a day 5 days a week. Her teammates are always supportive allowing her to use the pool with very few modifications.

 Speaking with a California Interscholastic Federation representative, they say the biggest challenge in getting para swimming brought to high schools is support by coaches.  Shannon has been fortunate to have very supportive coaches during her swimming career:  Jean, Polly, Rod, Liz and Denise McIntyre.  Each have played a role in her training.  The new Athletic Director Mr. Nolan Godfrey and new NHS Assistant Principal Greg Fister have been some of her loudest cheerleaders.

 2017 will be the first time where two events for para swimming will be at the State Championships – 50 Free and 100 Free.