Written by: Andrew DeSorbo
9/19/2008 12:03 PM

Tucker Dupree comes home with 5 American Records and a lifetime of memories!

As he prepared for his trip to the Paralympics Tucker Dupree knew he would be facing some stiff competition from swimmers from around the world. When he finally started swimming against them he realized he was in for a fight. The meet started for him a few days after the swimming actually started which gave him an opportunity to experience the opening ceremony. In the past the opening ceremony paled in comparison to the opening ceremony for the able body games, but the Chinese went all out and Tucker described the opening as an amazing experience. As was previously written Tucker started with an American record in the 100 fly (1:01.53) which earned him a 5 place finish. Next up was the 200 IM in which he broke his own US record with a time of 2:19.12 which was good for 6th place. His third swim of the games would be the 400 free, which was one of his best shots at making the podium. After a gutsy race and a best time of 4:23.98 which was just off the medal stand in fourth. “These guys are really fast. I knew I had to swim fast so I did my best and got a lifetime best. It was a good swim,” Tucker declared after the race.

The 100 free was the next day and even after two grueling 400s the day before Tucker swam to a new American record in prelims (55.34). His finals swim was a bit slower but still good for a seventh place finish.

His 2nd best shot at a medal came next in the 100 back. He once again showed guts and determination with American records both in prelims and in finals (1:04.08), but this time missed the podium by a little over a second.

Tucker finished things off the way he started with American records in the morning and at night in the 50 free. His finals time of 25.31 was good for a sixth place finish.

Although ranked high in all his events, his competitors in Beijing stepped it up as much as Tucker did. Tucker made the finals in every event he swum but every final was won with a new World Record. In a few cases it took a swim under the world record prior to the games to make the podium. “This has been a great experience”, a weary Tucker declared. If you see Tucker around the deck make sure you congratulate him on his fine performances in China.

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