Owens Set Record and Snatched Dreams in Holland
Photo Credit: Liliane Kiefer
Liliane Kiefer, Writer
September 3, 2010
Filed under Spotlights, Students, Top Stories
There have been many accounts where repeatedly Catawba athletes prove excellence at major performances, and Ashley Owens is no exception. On Monday August 13th, Ashley Owens helped the United States team earn a gold medal at the 2010 International Paralympics Committee Swimming World Championships at the Pieter Van Den Hoogenband Swimming Stadium in Eindhoven, Holland. Furthermore, Owens set a world record at this worldwide event. Owen’s teammates Mallory Weggemann, Elizabeth Stone and Jessica Long, also helped make the record in the 4×100 free style relay. The U.S.A team took the gold with a record time of 4:23.59, while Great Britain received the silver with a time of 4:29.49. Lastly, China earned the bronze medal with a time of 4:46.90. Note that the U.S.A team beat their previous world record made in 2006 by more than seven seconds. This was a day where not only the U.S.A. team brought victory home that day, but also an opportunity for Owens and the other ladies to represent their country with heads held high.
I managed to get a few moments to sit with the Catawba swimmer, and by the end of the interview, I was in complete awe over the success of this young college student. Owens, from Stockbridge, Georgia started swimming in middle school and attributes her motives to swimming competitively to her first coach, Judy Burdette. Cerebral Palsy could also be another reason that prompted her to become a swimmer. Owens, similar to many other Paralympics athletes has a form of cerebral palsy known as spastic cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is a term used to describe a group of disorders affecting body movement and muscle co-ordination. The majority of individuals are diagnosed with cerebral palsy at a young age, and it is mostly caused during birth if an infant receives damage to its celebreum while in the mother’s womb. The severities of symptoms vary from individual to individual. Some people may just have slight awkwardness of body movement, while others may never be able to walk and remain in wheelchairs or walkers for the rest of their lives. Fortunately, the worst did not happen to Owens. Owens claims, that “swimming at an early age actually help her with her muscle coordination, as well as get through her physical therapy sessions during her early years with cerebral palsy.” Physical therapy is a recommended treatment for those individuals with progressive forms of cerebral palsy.
However, not even cerebral palsy could stop Owens form swimming one of the largest sporting events in the world, the Paralympics. Owens competed in the 2004 Olympics in Athens at only 14 years of age. There, she took one gold medal and one silver medal for the United States. It is only four years later where she again claims one gold and one silver in Beijing in 2008. However, with all these moments of athletic excellence and extraordinary achievements, Ashley does not consider herself any different from an able-bodied swimmer, and does not make any excuses for her to not compete with other able-bodied swimmers. With humorous enthusiasm, Owens remarks, “I really enjoy being on the Catawba College swim team and swimming with team members who constantly challenge me not just as an athlete but as a student. I know I am excited for this upcoming swimming season, and I know we will do well.”
As far as future swimming events and competitions are concerned, Owens is currently training for the 2012 Paralympics in London. Secondly, Owens hopes to pass the cut for the NCAA A cuts in order to qualify for nationals this year. While training and preparing for all these events, Owens is excited to be back at Catawba and plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and a master’s degree in special education.
Before I called it quits to the interview, I asked the mighty swimmer, what advice she would give to other college students, young adults, and young athletes who may be facing similar disabilities or obstacles in their lives. Owens suggests with much confidence and assurance, “No one is perfect, we are all different. No matter what, follow your dreams, and never let people make you feel less or inadequate for your flaws. If you can dream it you can do it.” This she has most certainly done.
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