TERRE HAUTE —
A Terre Haute Torpedo swimmer has surfaced in Washington, D.C.
2011 Terre Haute South Vigo graduate Evan Austin, a world-class swimmer who this month competed in the 2012 Paralympic Games in London, is meeting his teammates and other Olympians in the nation’s capital where they will be welcomed today at the White House.
Austin, also a member of the Terre Haute Torpedoes swim club and an assistant coach at Terre Haute South, returned from the 2012 games on Monday, which was also his 20th birthday. On Thursday, he boarded yet another jet – this time bound for Washington, D.C., where he will join hundreds of other top athletes who represented the USA this summer in London.
The White House reception is the icing on a multi-month cake that started when Austin qualified to be one of 14 swimmers to represent the USA at qualifying trials earlier this year in Bismarck, N.D.
“It’s just been fun,” Austin said summing up the whirlwind of the entire Paralympics experience, including multiple media interviews. “I’ve loved how the community has rallied behind me.”
Austin has a local fan club and more than 500 followers on Twitter, the social networking website. He kept his fans updated throughout the London games.
While in London, Austin competed in five qualifying heats and two medal races. He didn’t come home with any medals, but said the experience taught him many lessons he can use as he turns his thoughts to qualifying for the 2016 summer Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro.
“I’m already excited for Rio,” Austin said.
Austin said he did not have the best swim competition of his life in London, but gained valuable experience that will help as he prepares for 2016, when he’ll be just 23.
“This is our learning curve,” Austin said. “We have a goal and learned a lot. I’m not upset.”
Austin swam in the men’s 100-meter freestyle, the men’s 200-meter individual medley relay, the men’s 4 x 100 freestyle relay, the men’s 100-meter breaststroke and the men’s 100-meter butterfly. He qualified for the finals in the 100-meter breaststroke, and his team qualified for the finals in the 4 x 100 freestyle relay.
During the games, sometimes getting a good night’s sleep was difficult, Austin said.
“Your system really gets out of whack” because of the intensity and the ups and downs of a 10-day competition, he said, adding that there is a heavy emotional and physical toll in competing for that length of time.
“It’s a lot different from a small club meet in Terre Haute,” Austin said. “The energy and atmosphere was just incredible.”
Whenever British athletes would be introduced, the crowd of about 18,000 would erupt with cheers, Austin said. And the first time he entered the competition’s “ready room” with rival athletes before a swim, it was something like he’d never experienced. “That alone is pretty intense,” he said.
Back home, Austin has already been called upon to assist his longtime coach, South’s Jeff Thompson, as one of the assistant coaches for the southside school.
“It’s really rewarding,” Austin said of coaching. “I feel it’s kind of my duty to give back as much as I can.”
Reporter Arthur Foulkes can be reached at 812-231-4232 or arthur.foulkes@tribstar.com.
Local & Bistate
Related Photos
-
Sharp dressed man: Paralympic swimmer Evan Austin wore this formal outfit during the opening ceremonies of the Paralympic games in London. (Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza)
-
Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza Credentialed athlete: Paralympic swimmer Austin Evan displays the credential he used in London Thursday at his home in Riley.
-
Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza On the road again: Paralympic swimmer Evan Austin talks to his dad, Eric, as he repacks his bags Thursday at his home in Riley. Austin was preparing to go to the airport for a flight to Washington, D.C.
-
Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza Unpacking: Paralympic swimmer Evan Austin unpacks his swimming caps and team uniform Thursday at his home in Riley.
Discussion
Headed to D.C.: Back from London, Evan Austin visits White House today
- Local & Bistate
-
-
Lane restrictions next week on U.S. 41 at Shelburn
SHELBURN, Ind. – Motorists should expect minimal delays because of lane restrictions for U.S. 41 in Sullivan County next week as the railroad company makes repairs to the rail crossing 1.2 miles north of Shelburn.
-
Reputed Mafioso tip triggers new Hoffa body search
OAKLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. — The FBI saw enough merit in a reputed Mafia captain’s tip to once again break out the digging equipment to search for the remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa, last seen alive before a lunch meeting with two mobsters nearly 40 years ago.
-
UPDATE: Parke County homicide victim identified
ROSEDALE — The victim in a Parke County homicide that occurred last week has been identified as Kathryn A. Bays, 55, of Rosedale.
-
Court lets walk-out fines against House Democrats stand
INDIANAPOLIS — House Democrats who had to pay more than $100,000 in fines after they walked out of the Indiana Statehouse won’t get the help they sought from the Indiana Supreme Court.
-
Vigo County Jail Log: June 18, 2013
The following individuals were booked into the Vigo County Jail by area law enforcement on Monday and Tuesday, based on jail records.
-
Back home again: Items from vaudeville stage and Terre Haute native sent to Historical Society
The staff at the Vigo County Historical Museum are excited about the arrival of priceless items used by Terre Haute-native Rose Fehrenbach and her husband, Edward Pierce, to promote their Vaudeville acts in the early 20th century.
-
Husband charged in Archer homicide
Terre Haute Police have found local reports of domestic violence between a Terre Haute man and his wife, whose body was discovered wrapped in a tarp and dumped in an Ohio ditch.
-
National Road panels dedicated
Rewind to the mid-1800s, when the trotting of a horse and buggy on National Road could be heard alongside the voices of people heading west, searching for opportunities.
-
Pence sets agency priorities
Following a directive from Gov. Mike Pence, state agency heads are reorganizing some of their top priorities to better reflect the first-year governor’s “roadmap for Indiana” plan for improving the state’s economy, infrastructure and health.
-
Another I-70 traffic snarl: Three injured in two related crashes
Three people were injured Monday afternoon from a pair of crashes on Interstate 70 that temporarily closed the highway and diverted traffic into Terre Haute.
-
Terre Haute man still hospitalized after scooter/car crash
A Terre Haute man remained hospitalized Monday at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis after his scooter struck a car early Saturday on Wabash Avenue at 25th Street.
-
Overpass repairs causing Interstate 70 lane restrictions
Repairs to the Frye Road overpass in southeastern Vigo County has caused a restriction to the left lane of Interstate 70 between the 13- and 14-mile markers, about two miles east of the Indiana 46 exit.
-
Indiana woman condemned for killing at 15 is freed
A woman who was sentenced to death at age 16 for taking part in the torture and murder of a 78-year-old Bible studies teacher was released from an Indiana prison Monday after growing to middle age behind bars.
-
Grant will let Vigo Library evaluate map collection
The Vigo County Public Library has received a $2,000 grant to evaluate its historic map collection, a library official announced Monday.
-
Four juveniles caught on elementary school roof; one injured jumping off
Police say a juvenile was lucky to have suffered only a broken leg after jumping from the roof of a Vigo County elementary school – dropping about 30 feet to the ground.
-
Farmersburg man sentenced after guilty plea in rape case
A Farmersburg man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to a rape that occurred at his parents’ residence in May 2012.
-
Still no information being released on Rosedale homicide
No new information was being released Monday afternoon concerning a Rosedale homicide.
-
Woman condemned for killing at age 15 freed from Rockville prison
INDIANAPOLIS — A woman who was sentenced to death at age 16 for taking part in the torture and murder of a 78-year-old bible studies teacher was released from an Indiana prison today after growing to middle age behind bars.
-
UPDATE: All lanes of I-70 now open
All lanes of Interstate 70 in Vigo County are now open — as of 4:15 p.m. — after multiple crashes shut down the eastbound lanes temporarily this afternoon.
-
Quinn signs into law tough fracking regulations
CHICAGO — Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn signed legislation giving the state the nation’s strictest regulations for high-volume oil and gas drilling.
-
BREAKING: Arrest made in Archer homicide
A Terre Haute man has been arrested and charged with felony murder and altering the scene of a death in the homicide of his wife, Kayla Herchelroath Archer.
-
Frye Road Overpass work to restrict lanes on I-70
VIGO COUNTY, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation announces the Frye Road Overpass construction will restrict the left lane on Interstate 70 between the 13- and 14-mile marker, beginning June 17. This lane restriction will be in effect for 24 hours a day for about two weeks.
-
Vigo County Jail Log: June 17, 2013
The following individuals were booked into the Vigo County Jail by area law enforcement on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, based on jail records.
-
Fathers take time out to spend quality time with children, grandchildren
A big, circular white cloud rose up through the tall atrium as Mike Woods held his 4-year son, Nathan, Sunday at the Terre Haute Children’s Museum.
-
On Friday, hit the park and raise funds for skateboarders
The On-board United Initiative — O.U.I. for short — has scheduled an all-ages fundraising event Friday in honor of national Go Skateboarding Day.
-
STATE OF THE STATEHOUSE: Sentencing law could benefit juveniles
Monica Foster is a longtime public defender who’s been pushing uphill in the legal system for a long time. So, when she says the General Assembly is making progress protecting the rights of the disenfranchised, it’s worth stopping to listen to her.
-
Mastering the art of Gardening
The Wabash Valley Master Gardeners group gathered over the weekend to marvel at each other’s gardens on its annual garden tour. The event was a chance for master gardeners to showcase their labor of love, meanwhile sharing stories about their plants.
-
RESTAURANT INSPECTIONS: June 17, 2013
The Vigo County Health Department inspected the following food establishments May 28-31:
-
Lawn mower fire destroys barn
A lawn mower that caught fire was cited as the cause of a fire that destroyed a single story barn Sunday in the 2000 block of North Chamberlain Street, said Harold Osborn, assistant fire chief of the Lost Creek Township Fire Department.
-
Wabash Valley residents vie for spot on Wheel of Fortune
Ellen Fujawa of Zionsville wants to be on the popular syndicated Wheel of Fortune game show.
- More Local & Bistate Headlines
-
Lane restrictions next week on U.S. 41 at Shelburn
Tiger on Sergio: 'It's Time to Move On'
Robot Action Connected to Human Thought
Rain Damages Brazil Soccer Stadium
Obama: US Has Helped Syrian Rebels
California Cops Cruise on Stand-up Paddle Patrol
NYC 911 Call Lasts for 8 Hours
Falling Cable Hurts 10 NASCAR Fans
Raw: 100K Protesters Flood Brazilian Streets
Afghan Forces Take Afghanistan Security Lead
Transgender Candidate Running in NYC
Obama: NSA Secret Data Gathering 'Transparent'
Man Who Disrupted Flight Ranted About CIA
Raw: First Lady, Daughters Enjoy Irish Sights
RAW: NSA Director Says 50 Plots Foiled
Feds: 7-Eleven Stores Exploited Immigrants
Ex-NFL Star Chad Johnson Out of Jail
Today in History June 18
Oklahoma City Thunder Players Tour Moore
Iran's Rowhani Urges 'Path of Moderation'
Raw: Prince Philip Leaves Hospital After Surgery
Inside Kim Kardashian's Premature Labor
Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park
Paige Butcher Scorches on Hawaii Beach
Video: worst way to load cargo onto a plane
Never-before-seen footage of '08 Times Square bomber
WATCH IT: Lil Wayne tramples American flag
Mariah Carey Looks Beautiful in a Tiny Cut-Out Swimsuit
Out of Control Boat Throws Passengers Overboard
See Lindsay Lohan in Rehab
Sofia Vergara Posts Perky Backside Pic in Thong
Gaga Ditches Her Crazy Couture
Caught on Tape: Teacher Accused of Beating Autistic Child
"Stay Classy" Campaign Aims to Curb Binge Drinking
Sesame Street Tackling Tough Topic Parents in Jail
Miss Utah Fumbles Interview Question
Deranged man claims Newark-bound flight was poisoned
Cameron Diaz and Kate Upton Show Off Their Amazing Bikini Bodies
NBA FINALS: Spurs Win Game 5, Lead Series
