(L-R) Lizzi Smith, Hannah Aspden and Amanda Palyo pose with their medals at the 2019 Parapan American Games on Aug. 27, 2019 in Lima, Peru.

LIMA, Peru - Highlighted by a podium sweep of the women’s 100-meter backstroke S9, American swimmers took home nine medals - three golds, three silvers and three bronzes - on the third day of competition at the Parapan American Games Lima 2019.

Three highlights from the pool
All-American podium - Two-time Paralympic medalist Hannah Aspden (Raleigh, North Carolina) picked up her second medal in the Aquatic Center in Videna National Sports Village, winning gold in the women’s 100 back S9. With cheers erupting from the American crowd, Aspden was joined on the podium by teammates Lizzi Smith (Muncie, Indiana) and Amanda Palyo (Castle Pines, Colorado).

First-time medalists - Three American swimmers earned hardware for the first time at the Parapan American Games. Abby Gase (Bowling Green, Ohio) and Tye Dutcher (Merced, California) raced to gold in the women’s 100 back S7 and men’s 100 back S10, respectively, to pick up their first medals of the Games. Abbey Nardella (Maple Valley, Washington) claimed bronze in the women’s 100 breaststroke SB6 during the morning session to log her first podium finish.

Three-peat - Smith has stepped on the podium every day she has competed in Lima, earning three medals across three days of competition. Today’s silver comes after previously nabbing two gold medals. Smith set a new Parapan American record in the pool yesterday in the women’s 50 free S9 with a time of 29.55.

Team USA Results
9 medals (3 gold, 3 silver, 3 bronze)

Gold (3): Abby Gase (Bowling Green, Ohio), women’s 100 back S7 (1:33.92); Hannah Aspden (Raleigh, N.C.), women’s 100 back S9 (1:13.20), Tye Dutcher (Merced, Calif.), men’s 100 back S10 (1:04.67)

Silver (3): Aspen Shelton (Southlake, Texas), women’s 100 back S12 (1:15.98); Zach Shattuck (Mt. Airy, Md.), men’s 100 breast SB6 (1:26.31), Lizzi Smith (Muncie, Ind.), women’s 100 back S9 (1:14.57)

Bronze (3): Abbey Nardella (Maple Valley, Wash.), women’s 100 breast SB6 (2:10.82); Leslie Cichocki (Palos Hill,Ill.), women’s 100 back S14 (1:16.50); Amanda Palyo (Castle Pines, Colo.) women’s 100 back S9 (1:14.57)

Full results can be found at TeamUSA.org/Parapan2019 and Lima 2019’s website. 

Quotes
Hannah Aspden
“The race was a lot of fun, I was able to swim beside my good friends and good teammates. Team USA has had a really great meet, and we’ve just all been supporting each other so it’s really nice to look up in the stands and see them holding the flag up. We’ve been blessed with really great facilities, staff and volunteers that have helped this event run smoothly. I think we’re getting a really good taste for international competition and are looking really good going into next year.”

Zach Shattuck
“It was a good race, I think it was the second-best time I’ve ever swam for that event. It’s been a little weird having only one swim, it doesn’t have the same preliminary-to-final feel. But I can’t complain -- I’m in Peru, having a blast. We have a pretty young team so getting to watch all of those guys experience it for the first time has been really cool. We have a relay coming up and then I have another race on the last day, so I’m going to get ready for those, make sure my teammates are having a great time and make the most of the experience here.”  

Tye Dutcher
“My immediate reaction after winning was, “thank God.” I just wanted to get that gold medal for the USA and it’s a dream to represent. I’m super proud and humbled. I have the 50-meter freestyle coming up tomorrow and the relay at the end of the night, and then one more race on Thursday. My impression so far of the Parapan American Games Lima 2019 is that it is exceptional. Everything feels organized and very well-put together. I’ve had such a great time so far. Everything here is a blessing.”

What To Watch
Competition continues tomorrow with freestyle, butterfly and relay events. American teams will be racing in the men’s and women’s 4x100-meter relays, as well as individual finals for freestyle and butterfly. Dutcher and Gase will seek their second consecutive medals as they take to the pool for the 50 free, as Cichocki will return to the pool for the 100 fly.

Get Connected
Coverage of the 2019 U.S. Parapan American Team can be found at TeamUSA.org/Parapan2019. Visit TeamUSA.org/USADaily to sign up to receive the USA Daily, a digital news blast that provides Team USA results and highlights each night via email during the Games. Livestream of the Parapan American Games Lima 2019 is also available on TeamUSA.org/Live.

Follow U.S. Paralympics on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for updated results throughout the Parapan American Games Lima 2019.