Sims Bio
Lima 2019 Parapan American Games

La Crosse, Wis. -  UW-La Crosse sophomore swimmer Natalie Sims of Edina, Minn. (H.S.) earned four medals representing the United States at the Lima 2019 Para Pan American Games August 23-September 1 at Villa Deportiva Nacional in Lima, Peru.  The event featured a record 1,850 athletes competing in 17 sports.  
 

She captured the gold medal in the 100-meter freestyle (1:06.05) while earning the silver medal as a member of the 4x100-meter freestyle relay (4:50.24). Sims also earned bronze medals in the 100-meter butterfly (1:13.10) and 200-individual medley (2:42.94).  

"It was a great experience competing in the Para Pan Am games in Lima this year," said Sims. "I had the opportunity to meet and form some new relationships with my teammates. It's always an honor and a privilege to represent my country."

This was Sims' second straight year competing internationally after recording a pair of top-four finishes at the Copenhagen 2018 World Para Swimming World Series in Copenhagen, Denmark.  She finished third (1:04.95) in the 100-meter freestyle and fourth (:30.42) in the 50-meter freestyle.  Sims was the lone United States swimmer to advance to the final in both events.  She also competed in the 100-meter butterfly (1:16.04) and 200-meter individual medley (2:48.66) preliminaries at the World Para Swimming World Series.  

"Winning a gold medal for Team USA was an overwhelming moment," said Sims. "I swam with two of my other teammates and being able to podium with my close friend and teammate (Hannah Aspden earned bronze medal) was unforgettable. Nothing compares to seeing the flag being raised and proudly singing the National Anthem, a moment I will cherish for the rest of my life." 

She attended Edina High School (Minn.) and competed at her YWCA's swim club, the Minneapolis Otters, where she first qualified for the Paralympics. She has named to the U.S. Paralympic Swimming Emerging Team and competed in the 2014 Can-Am Paralympic Championships in Edmonton.  

Sims says competing at higher levels of competition has helped her prepare for college meets. "I'm used to a lot of pressure, so utilizing that at meets helps," added Sims. "Competing at the elite competition level has also helped me channel my nerves into something positive."

Sims competed in the 50, 100, 200 and 500 freestyle as well as the 100 I.M. and 100 butterfly for UW-La Crosse in 2018-19. 

UW-La Crosse starts the 2019-20 season Saturday, October 12 at the Luther College (Iowa) Invitational.