Sport(s): Swimming, Rowing
Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida
Swim Team: North Florida Swimming
(USA Swimming Club)
Rowing Team: Jacksonville Rowing Club
Sarah began swimming at the age of 7 and hasn’t looked back. While swimming with Special Olympics she and her father noticed the North Florida Swim Club training nearby and decided to Sarah was up for the challenge of training with and competing against non-disabled swimmers. Since then she has competed as a registered member of USA Swimming where she regularly earns competitive times in both short- and long-course events.
Sarah competed in her first US Paralympic-sanctioned swim meet this June, where she met the international qualifying times in 4 events (see below). This performance earned her a spot on Athletes Without Limits’ 2011 Global Games US Team. She and teammate Leslie Cichocki (IL) will both train 4-6 days a week this summer in preparation for the September Games, where they will represent the United States against swimming powerhouses Australia, South Africa and other countries.
As part of her overall fitness and in anticipation for new Paralympic opportunities for athletes with intellectual disability in Rowing, Sarah has also begun training with the Jacksonville Rowing Club. Working closely with coach Victoria Mattie, we’re confident she will be a strong addition to the club’s integrated team as Sarah’s greatest strength is her keen understanding of the power of positive thinking to improve both her own game and to inspiring teammates and fellow competitors to succeed. At the GTAC Paralympic swim meet this June, she caught the eye of the Officials who declared her as having the most team spirit of all the swimmers.
Competition Highlights:
June 2011 GTAC US Paralympic Swim Meet June 2011
Earned international qualifying times in 4 events listed below.
Sarah’s 2011 Global Games Events:
100 Free Time: 1:35.65
200 Free Time: 3:26.83
400 Free Time: 7:24.62
100 Fly Time: 1:56.48
Private Sponsors:
The following individuals and organizations provided Sarah with private sponsorship to help offset costs for competing at the 2011 Global Games in Italy. Thank you for your support and to those particpated in the benefit Car Wash and Dinners for Sarah!
- Jacksonville Fraternal Order of Police
- North Florida Swimming (Kathy Divine)
- Patrick Haines
- Judith Zitiello
- Monique Butts
- Magdalena Sprinkle
News Coverage
Video: Team USA Indoor Rowing Relay Practice at 2011 Global Games Italy
Sarah Gilbert, Bruce Worley and Mark Worley, members of the US team competing at the 2011 Global Games Indoor Rowing World Championships, received coaching on how to transition in a four-person relay from Julie Holman and Italian Rowing Team Coach Frederica.
read moreVideo: Sarah Gilbert Competes in the 1000m INAS Global Games Indoor Rowing Championships
Sarah Gilbert earns a 5th place world ranking in the 1,000 erg race at the 2011 Global Games World Championships Indoor Rowing competition in Colgoletto, Italy.
read moreLea Leads Team USA with Two World Championship Gold Medals at Global Games in Italy
October 10, 2011 Washington, DC - Six elite athletes with intellectual disability represented the United States at the INAS Global Games World Championships in Italy from September 24 - October 3. Nearly 700 athletes from 40 countries competed in swimming, athletics, tennis, basketball, indoor soccer, cycling, and table tennis. The Global Games are a major preparatory competition for the London 2012 Paralympic Games where for the first time since 2000 people with intellectual disability will be compete in swimming, table tennis, and athletics.
read moreGlobal Games World Championships for Para-Athletes with Intellectual Disability Begins in Italy
September 29, 2011 Loano, Italy — The competition for the team of US athletes at the 2011 INAS/IPC Global Games in Liguria Italy began today when swimmers Leslie Cichocki and Sarah Gilbert took to the water at Palasporte, the 50m outdoor competition pool in Loano, Italy.
read moreSwimmers Leslie Cichocki & Sarah Gilbert Head to Italy Thanks to Community Support
Private sponsorships from friends and local businesses keep their Paralympic Dream alive as the two swimmers head to the 2011 INAS/IPC Global Games in Loano, Italy. Swimmers Leslie Cichocki and Sarah Gilbert, the highest ranked swimmers with intellectual disability in the US, spearheaded a local fundraising campaign to help offset their family’s out of pocket expenses for the 2011 Global Games in Italy. The Global Games is an important qualifier for the London 2012 Paralympics and the two represent the best chance for US swimmers to...
read moreUS Athletes Without Limits Head to Italy for Global Games
September 1, 2011 – Athletes Without Limits, a nonprofit dedicated to helping athletes with intellectual disability integrate and accelerate in sport, is proud to announce a strong US National team for the 2011 INAS Global Games. The Games are the world championship for athletes with intellectual disability and a key qualifier in Swimming, Track & Field for London 2012 Paralympic Games. Athletes Without Limits will be leading a team of six athletes to Liguria, Italy, for the prestigious international event that takes place every 4 years...
read moreVideo: Swimmer Sarah Gilbert Featured on Florida News
Florida swimmer Sarah Gilbert is fundraising to help offset trip costs for the 2011 Global Games in Italy. She appeared on First Coast News on August 8 along with one of her swim coaches Justin Heights and her rowing coach Victoria Mattie. (Note, after the sponsor ad, use the slider to get to the interview, which starts at 4:15). She also appeared with swim coach Justin Heights on WJXT and News4Jax.com. Use the link below to watch the full...
read moreSwimmers Leslie Cichocki and Sarah Gilbert Qualify for Global Games
The GTAC Disability Swim meet provided an opportunity for three new Athletes Without Limits swimmers to compete together with physically disabled Paralympic swimmers while trying to achieve qualifying times for the 2011 Global Games World Championships.
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