Way to Go!

By Nancy Pardue

Tucker Dupree of Garner added a trio of medals to his swim career collection and set new American records during the recent Paralympics Games in London, which closed last Sunday, Sept. 9.

Dupree earned the silver medal and set a new American record in the 100-meter backstroke event, with a time of 1:01:36.

He claimed the bronze medal in the 50-meter freestyle event, and broke the American record with a time of 24:36.

Dupree also earned bronze in the 100-meter freestyle, breaking his own American record with a time of 54:41.

The Paralympic Games are an elite-level competition for athletes with physical and visual disabilities, and are the second largest sporting event in the world, behind the Olympic Games.

A graduate of Garner Magnet High School, he was among 227 athletes competing in 19 sporting events to represent the U.S. in this year’s games. This was his second Paralympics, after competing in the 2008 games in Beijing.

Congratulations, Tucker!

For info on other Garner people making a splash, see our Garner Greats feature here.

From our Social Calendar:

Don’t forget – tonight is the final concert in the Music off Main series! Click here for details.

Tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 14 is gala night for Able to Serve, benefiting the Garner organization which helps adults with developmental disabilities to contribute to their community. Check it out at www.abletoserve.org.

And pet-lovers, plan ahead for Saturday, Sept. 29, when a rabies and microchip clinic will be held at Lake Benson Park.