The 2024 Paris Paralympics, which wrapped up on Sunday, featured several Connecticut natives on the world’s largest stage. From swimming to rowing and everything in between, the Constitution State was well represented in the global arena. Here’s a closer look at the Connecticut natives who earned a chance at international glory this past summer.
Matthew Torres
In the bottom left corner of New Haven County lies Ansonia, CT. It was there where two-time paralympic medalist Torres got his start, but before breaking world records and becoming a medalist, Torres’ journey began through the television. Torres said he was first inspired to begin swimming after watching Michael Phelps compete in the 2008 Games. From then on, the rest was history. The Fairfield University student first saw the international stage at the 2019 Para Swimming World Series where he earned gold in the 200m IM. In 2020, Torres earned his first bronze Paralympic medal in Tokyo with the 400m freestyle. He also finished ninth in the 4x100m medley relay and tenth in the 100m backstroke. As a college junior, Torres set the 1500m freestyle world record at the 2021 U.S. Paralympics National Championships with a time of 17:42.44. Most recently in Paris, Torres secured his second bronze medal, this time in the 4x100m freestyle relay. At just 23-years-old, the future seems bright for the athlete.
Ali Truwit
Truwit, a 2023 Yale graduate and member of the swim team entered the Paralympic swimming pool just one year after losing her foot and part of her leg in a shark attack. The attack, which happened just two days after graduation, opened a new chapter in the young swimmer’s life after a successful collegiate career at Yale. The Darien native joined the Yale swim team and excelled in the 500, 1000 and 1650-yard freestyle distance races. Truwit finished No. 10 in both the 1000m and 1650m freestyle at the 2019-2020 Ivy League Championships and earned the second-best team time in the 500m. Thanks to her determination, Truwit’s success didn’t end there. After battling the mental and physical challenges of getting back into the water, Truwit made a momentous return to the pool and competed in the 2023 U.S. Paralympics Swimming National Championships. Soon after, the 2024 Paralympics became her new goal. Luckily, Truwit is an athlete defined by resilience and earned silver in the 400m freestyle S10 and the 100m backstroke S10 in Paris. The athlete’s success didn’t stop there as her performance in the 100m backstroke broke her personal record. Before the attack, she swam 1:09.50 and on the Olympic stage, she swam an incredible 1:08.56. Clearly, nothing is impossible for this young athlete.
Ben Washburne
Washburne, the 23-year-old and Madison, CT native has seen his fair share of global glory. Long before his silver medal finish in Paris’ PR3 Coxed Four-Mixed rowing event, the Williams College graduate secured a spot in the World Championships. The medalist earned his first silver finish at the 2023 World Championships in the PR3 Mixed Four with coxswain. He also earned two golds in the 2023 IRA National Championship, one in the DIII Second Varsity Eight and another in the DIII Team Title. Undoubtedly, Washburne is well accustomed to the global arena and has already made waves in the international rowing realm.
Sydney Satchell
The final CT native, Sydney Satchell of Windsor, had never played volleyball before trying the game sitting. Just one year after a tragic car accident that left Satchell with an amputated leg, she was introduced to the sport and attended a sitting volleyball camp. In just three short years, Satchell earned a spot on the 2019 Women’s Sitting Volleyball National Team. Just like her colleagues, the rest was history. While the Paris gold may be the icing on the cake for Satchell, her resume of success is extensive. Not only did Satchell earn silver in the 2023 ParaVolley Pan American Zonal Championship, but she also secured the gold in the 2019 ParaPan American Games in Lima. The list of Satchell’s accolades goes on, but her success proves that it’s never too late to try something new.