Press Releases
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Raleigh native makes U.S. Paralympic Swim Team
Tucker Dupree’s dream of making the U.S. Paralympic Swim Team came true during the U.S. Paralympic Trials for swimming in Minneapolis, Minn., April 3-5, 2008.
During the trials, Dupree set a new division S12 American record in his preliminary swim for the 50-meter freestyle, with a time of 25.96 seconds. In the 50-meter freestyle finals Dupree shaved a tenth of a second off the record he had set earlier that day, with a new S12 American record of 25.86 seconds. Dupree’s fast times and record-breaking ability earned him a spot on the 2008 U.S. Paralympic Swim Team.
Dupree’s passion for swimming only increased after he began losing his vision three years ago because of a hereditary disease. He set a goal of making the U.S. Paralympic Team.
As captain of Garner High School’s swim team, Dupree was nominated as MVP for 2007 and broke two school records. He also earned the RSM McGladrey, Inc. Courage and Character award, which was presented during the 2008 Greater Raleigh Sports Council Evening of Champions.
Dupree will head to China Sept. 6-17 to compete in the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games. The Paralympic Games are an international competition among each nation’s elite athletes with physical disabilities and is second in size only to the Olympic Games. The Paralympic Games and Paralympic Winter Games follow the Olympic Games and Olympic Winter Games at the same venues and facilities.
Congratulations to Tucker for all of his hard work!
Information obtained from the official Web site of the U.S. Paralympic Team.
For more information about Tucker and his success please visit his website at www.tuckerdupree.com.
Professional Women’s Tennis Tournament Comes to the Triangle
This month, RBC Bank will present the only professional women’s tennis tournament in North Carolina. The RBC Bank Women’s Challenger, a USTA Women’s Pro Circuit Event, begins with qualifying rounds on Sunday, May 11. The tournament runs through Sunday, May 18. More than 100 professional tennis players from around the world, ages 14 and up, are expected to participate in the tournament.
The USTA Women’s Pro Circuit consists of four different tournaments based on the prize money. The RBC Bank Women’s Challenger falls into the $25,000 tournament. At that level, a player can best determine whether her game is good enough to pursue a career as a touring pro. Players scheduled to appear include Renata Vorakova (CZK), currently ranked number 122 in the world, and Alexandra Stevenson (USA), a former Wimbledon semi-finalist.
A free adult Doubles Strategy Clinic will be held on Tuesday, May 13. Main draw feature matches begin on Wednesday, May 14. Bring the kids out on Saturday, May 17, and enjoy the Kid’s Carnival from 9 – 10:30 a.m.
Matches are free during the day Sunday through Friday. Night matches are $5 per person; children under 10 are free. All ticket sales go to the Boys and Girls Club of Raleigh. Tickets are available by calling the North Hills Pro Shop at 919.781.0468. For a complete daily schedule, visit www.northhillsclub.com.
