Maria D’Andrea

Hometown: Bensalem, Pennsylvania
INAS Sports: Swimming
Coach(es): Karen Fisher
Team(s): 2009 Athletes Without Limits Global Games Team USA; Bensalem High School Swim Team
Bensalem Aquatic Club Community Swim Team
US-INAS National Team

Maria ranked in the top 10 in the world in several swim events following an impressive debut that included an 8th place finish in the long-course 800m freestyle and a 10th place finish in the 400m freestyle at the 2009 INAS Global Games world swimming championships. Maria also participated in the 1,000m demonstration indoor rowing event while at the Global Games.

Maria began breaking ground as a young student when she became a member of the Bensalem High School Swim Team (a non-disabled team) from 2005-2009. In 2007 she received the Spirit Award and Trophy from Bensalem Aquatic Club Community Swim Team.

Maria has won numerous gold medals at Special Olympics Bucks County and Special Olympics State Championship events, most notably beating all her male competitors! Special Olympic coach Karen Fisher traveled with Maria and Athletes Without Limits to the 2009 INAS Global Games, and was instrumental in Maria achieving PR’s in several events despite it being her first time competing in a long-course (50m) pool.

Now that she is no longer in High School, Maria has begun training with a coach in her hometown, where she is also teaching younger students how to swim. She credits swimming with giving her the confidence she needed to overcome her disability, have a job and enjoy the chlorinated life of a swimmer through and through.

Results Highlights:

2010 GTAC Open Disability Meet Sanctioned by US Paralympics & USA Swimming
Events and Times coming soon.

2009 INAS Global Games, Czech Republic
Member of US-INS Swim Team
Events and Times coming soon.

News Coverage:

Maria D’Andrea and Gail Morning Make Strong Showing at First Paralympic Meet

June 1, 2010: Athletes Without Limits swimmers compete together with physically disabled Paralympic swimmers for the first time at the 2010 GTAC Disability Meet at the University of Cincinnati.

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Courier Times Features Global Games Swimmer Maria D’Andrea

"A world of experience for Bensalem's D'Andrea" by Karen Sangillo, Staff Writer

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US Brings Home Medals and High Rankings at 2009 Global Games

July 14, 2009 : Three US athletes with intellectual disability represented the US at the 2009 Global Games held in Liberec, Czech Republic July 5 – 14. Nearly 1,000 elite athletes from 40 countries competed for gold, silver and bronze in seven sports.

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USA Wins First Medal at 2009 Global Games

July 8, 2009: Liberec, Czech Republic - Cyclist Syd Lea Wins Bronze in Individual Time Trial; Swimmer Maria D'Andrea Ranks 8th in the World in Distance Event.

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First US Team to Compete at Global Games in Czech Republic July 5-14

June 29, 2009: Nearly 1,500 elite athletes with intellectual disability from 40 countries will compete for world championships in nine sports.

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