RIO de JANIERO, Brazil – Carson-Newman sophomore swimmer Robert Griswold (Freehold, N.J.) captured a bronze medal on Tuesday evening in the Paralympics S8 100m backstroke. He also set a new American record with a time of 1.04.68.
"It's such a big achievement for Robert, his family and this program," Swimming Coach Jordan Taylor said. "He's put so much hard work into getting to Rio and going on to the biggest stage in the world. He wanted to compete with the best in the world and get a medal. He just texted me and said "I did it" and he did. He's done everything he set out to do. I couldn't be more proud of him."
Griswold qualified for the final this morning when he clocked in at 1.05.33 in the first heat, which, at the time was a Paralympic record.
Griswold is the second known Carson-Newman student-athlete to earn a Paralympic medal, as wrestler Lazaro Reinoso won a bronze at the 1992 games.
Griswold isn't finished, however. He will be competing in at least two more events on Saturday. He's set to swim in the SM8 200m individual medley, which will have heats at 8:52am and 8:57am. He'll also be doing the backstroke leg of the men's 4x100m Medley on Saturday at 7:32pm. You can catch a live stream of all the events at TeamUSA.org.
-CN-
