After a series of victorious events and competitions, Junior Creative Writer and 2023 gold medalist para swimmer Momo Sutton is preparing herself for her next incoming challenge.

Sutton began to swim at just four years old and showed a promising future in the sport. At age nine, Sutton began to swim competitively, and swam her first national para swim meet at age twelve in Texas, U.S.A.. Sutton was the first para swimmer in the high school swim meet and the first to win a gold medal. Now embarking on a new challenge, Sutton is getting ready to participate in the emerging team for the U.S Paralympics.

According to the International Paralympic Committee, “Paralympic swimming competitions are open to male and female athletes with physical disabilities.” Swimmers are expected to swim in 50-meter pools with no prostheses or assistive devices. With the first games initially being held in 1960 in Rome, Italy, the Paralympics have become one of the most anticipated sport competitions, something that Sutton is eager to take on. “For people like me, there aren’t a lot of opportunities to be competitive in a sport where everything is fair, and you can reach that highest level of competition. Originally, I was supposed to only do para swimming as an orthopedic venture, but looking back now, I am very glad that I did go into that competitive branch.” states Sutton.

In order to raise money for her journey, Sutton has started a fund for her swimming ventures. Under the phrase, “OCSA is Team Momo”, Sutton’s former coach and now-teacher at Osceola County School for the Arts, Mrs. McBride, has helped distribute flyers all over the school to advertise Sutton’s cause. Merchandise with the “Team Momo” logo is also available. T-shirts are $20, and silicone bracelets are $2. According to Sutton, all funding will go towards travel, meet entry fees, and equipment that will be needed to participate in the events.

Make sure to contribute to Team Momo and help a hardworking athlete achieve her dreams!