news-category: Alumni

Former Gardner-Webb Swimmer Makes History at Tokyo Paralympics

Mallory Weggeman in a swimming pool

Mallory Weggemann Comes Back from 2014 Arm Injury to Break Records and Bring Home Gold and Silver Medals

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Former Gardner-Webb swimmer Mallory Weggemann not only won two golds and a silver medal at the Tokyo Paralympics, Aug. 24-Sept. 3, she broke two records. The 32-year-old swimmer finished first in the women’s 100m backstroke S7 in a time of 1:21.27, 1:45 under the record of 1:22.72 set in 2016. In the 200m individual medley SM7, she broke the Paralympic record during her heat race. She won the silver in her final race of the games, the 50m butterfly S7 in a time of 34:30.

Weggemann, who became paralyzed from the waist down in 2008 following a series of epidural shots to treat shingles, was a member of the GWU team in 2009. She made her Paralympic debut in 2012, winning a gold in the 50m freestyle and was also on the medley relay team that took bronze.

She suffered an arm injury in 2014 and didn’t medal in the 2016 games. Her highest finish was fifth in seven races.

After intense training and rehab, Weggemann made her return to the world championships stage in 2019, where she brought home two individual golds and a silver.

Following the medal ceremony in Tokyo, Weggemann posted her thoughts on her Instagram page (malloryweggemann). The message included her gratitude to everyone who had been part of her journey—husband, coaches, family, friends, and community supporters and sponsors.

Mallory Weggemann’s post on Instagram after the Paralympic Medal Ceremony.

Weggemann said: “DREAMS ARE RESILIENT. There aren’t words that can adequately express the emotions I have felt the last 48 hours—admittedly, it still doesn’t feel real. I have dreamed of this moment for the better part of the last nine years and as I sat atop the Paralympic podium and saw the American flag raise, I felt an immense sense of pride. That pride is rooted in the fact that despite circumstance we still showed up to the fight, time and time again and didn’t allow our now to define what was to come.”

She continued the post, “… whatever dream you hold in your heart—nurture it, fight for it, believe in it and know you are worthy of achieving it. And when adversity strikes and circumstance steps in, remember why you are fighting in the first place and allow that purpose to fuel you, to guide you and to carry you because dreams are resilient as long as you are willing to show up and fight for them. So keep fighting!”

Editor’s note: Mallory Weggemann will be highlighted in an extended profile story in the next issue of Gardner-Webb The Magazine.

Previous News Article

Legendary Film Music Editor Begins Gardner-Webb Distinguished Artists Series

Next News Article

Gardner-Webb Marching Bulldogs Prepare for Sept. 18 Debut in Spangler Stadium

Related News

  • News Article

    Gardner-Webb Professor of Spanish, Dr. Charles B. Moore Receives Distinguished Award to Publish His Book

    Competitive Grant Presented Annually to One Sigma Delta Pi National Spanish Honor Society Sponsor BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Gardner-Webb University Professor of Spanish Dr. Charles Moore has been honored with a distinguished award from Sigma Delta Pi and publisher, Ediciones Albatros, of Valencia Spain. Awarded annually to a current Sigma Delta Pi National Spanish Honor Society sponsor, […]

    Students and professors pose at the Sigma Delta Pi induction ceremony
  • News Article

    Gardner-Webb Alumnae, Sherika Eskridge and Sharon S. Robbs, Named William C. Friday Fellows

    Unique Statewide Program Announces 2025-2027 Class BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—The William C. Friday Fellowship for Human Relations, the flagship program of Wildacres Leadership Initiative (WLI), has named its 2025-2027 class. Gardner-Webb alumnae, Sherika Eskridge and Sharon Surratt Robbs, both of Cleveland County, N.C., are two of just 18 individuals across North Carolina selected for the thirteenth […]

  • News Article

    Lt. Cmdr. Caroline Gray Potter Discovered Her Interest in Psychology and Sense of Adventure at Gardner-Webb University

    An Officer and Social Worker in the Navy, Alumna Provides Mental Health Support to Sailors BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Originally from Kitty Hawk, N.C., Lt. Cmdr. Caroline Gray Potter chose to attend Gardner-Webb University after her first visit to campus. On a whim, her family decided to go see the place where her grandparents met, dated, and […]