By Braden Keith on SwimSwam
Ava Maria University swimmer and US Para Swimming World Championship Team member Hannah Nelson has died. She was 23.
The university sent out a prayer request to its student body on Saturday saying that she had “suffered a catastrophic brain bleed” and was in a coma at the hospital. “We are deeply saddened to share that the doctors do not expect her to survive, and she is expected to pass away (Sunday).”
The school offered counseling to any students that needed it.
Courtesy: Ava Maria University
Nelson was a junior by athletic eligibility but a senior by credit. A native of South Dakota, she began her collegiate career at NCAA Division II Augustana University before transferring to NAIA Ava Maria University in Southwest Florida.
At The Sun Conference Championships in February, she finished 13th in the 1650 free.
Nelson began swimming at age 8. When she was 11, she was diagnosed with bone cancer, which resulted in the partial amputation of her left leg below the knee.
She met Paralympic swimming legend Jessica Long, a 30-time Paralympic medalist, at a clinic, and Long encouraged her to attend her first Paralympic meet. IN 2023, she made her first US National Team and World Championship team.
She finished 7th in the 400 free (S10) at the 2023 Para Swimming World Championships. She was the lone American in that final.
While Nelson was primarily a freestyler, she once also held a para-swimming American Record in a breaststroke race.
“She was a program record holder here and a true leader, team and spiritual, for our team — in the pool, in the weight room, and in our team culture,” Ava Maria head coach Giordan Harris said. “She was also an accomplished para swimmer, and her story impacted a lot of people well beyond our campus. She was joyful, bright, and recently found her love for the water again. Our entire community is heartbroken.”
Hannah Nelson (left) and her teammates. Courtesy: Ava Maria University
Nelson’s teammates and coaches spoke of how she impacted the team.
Hannah was able to brighten any practice or lift with just her presence…and colorful array of orange suits. Her joyful attitude, humble heart, and gentle disposition allowed her to smile during the toughest sets and uplift her teammates both in and out of the pool. Anyone who knows Hannah knows what it is to be loved by someone who loves softly, without condition, and I will truly miss sharing a lane with the friend who showed me that joy can always be found in our everyday struggles and hardships. Hannah committed her swim career to God’s glory and attributed her successes to God’s grace.” – Teammate Maeve O’Brien Hannah’s presence on the team was one of joyful strength. Personally, she was like an encouraging sister to me, someone who I always looked up to and hoped I could be like one day. She inspired everyone around her to become the best version of themselves by her good example. She was so loved and will always have a special place on this team and in our hearts.” – teammate Clare Tamisiea Hannah was a calming presence to all of us. She was always there if you needed someone to talk to or pray with. For me, she was always a constant reminder of home.” Teammate Eli Pelzer Hannah’s presence lifted our team every day. She was bright, bubbly, and genuinely happy to be here, and her energy was contagious. She poured herself into the sport and into life, always ready to work, always with a smile, and always ready to help or cheer on her teammates. What stood out most was her toughness; she fought through every challenge, in life and in sport, with composure and grit, inspiring those around her to do the same.” – Coach Giordan HarrisRead the full story on SwimSwam: 2023 Para World Championship Team Member Hannah Nelson Dies, 23
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