Monday, Aug. 30, 2010

Dupree earns five medals

Garner's Tucker Dupree won five medals and set four new American records at the 2010 International Paralympic Committee Swimming World Championships in The Netherlands, which were held Aug. 15-21.

Dupree brought home the silver medal in the 100-meter freestyle in 54.43 seconds, one of his new U.S. records. He also set new American records in the 100 butterfly (59.55), the 100 backstroke (1:02.09) and in the 200 individual medley (2:18.67).

He picked up bronze medals in the butterfly and the backstroke and placed fifth in the medley. Bronze medals were also waiting for Dupree after his finishes in the 50 freestyle (25.01) and the 400 freestyle (4:23.44).

"To say that I was happy with how I swam in the Netherlands is an understatement," Dupree said. "I feel good about how I have continued to improve each meet."

Dupree, who is vision-impired, has now relocated to Colorado Springs, Colo., where he'll participate in the USOC Training Facility Residency Program until he travels to London for the 2012 Paralympic Games. Dupree was chosen for the Residency Program after an application process.

"The fact that I am at the USOC Training Center now is something that I think will take me to the next level," Dupree said. "I have all the resources at my disposal here that can help me get to the [medal] podium in 2012 [at the Paralympic Games in London]. I am looking forward to making the most of my elite training here in Colorado Springs."