Dalton Herendeen

The Backstory:
Dalton Herendeen was born with a blood clot in his left leg that quickly led to amputating his leg below the knee. He started swimming at eight years old and had a rough start after joining his middle school swim team in seventh grade. Though it wasn’t easy, Herendeen stuck with it and in high school he began competing in Paralympic events. At the 2012 London Paralympic Games, he competed in six different events. Complications with his prosthetic putting stress on his right leg have meant more medical procedures, including a reconstructive surgery due to the loss of his meniscus and his anterior cruciate ligament. After a restful recovery period, Herendeen got back to training and at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games he placed fourth in the 100m breaststroke and sixth in 100m freestyle relay and medley relay.

Away from swimming:
Herendeen graduated from the University of Indianapolis with a degree in physical therapy, as well as aspirations to be a swimming coach. In 2020, he got engaged to fiancé, Lauren Stephens, and they are looking forward to their wedding in May 2021.

In their own words:
“On land or wherever I am, not the water, I feel like I have one leg, I feel like I’m disabled, I feel like I’m different. But when I jump into the water, I feel like I’m superhuman. I feel like I have superpowers. It’s incredible what the water does for me.”

“I swam my very first practice by myself. I came home that day and I told my mom and dad that I’m done. My dad said, ‘Listen, you started it, you’re going to finish it. If you don’t want to swim after seventh grade, that’s fine, but you have to finish.’ I’m so thankful for my dad saying that.”

Learn More:
Team USA Page
IPC Page
The Washington Post: “On Land, He Feels Disabled. In the Water, He’s A Paralympian.”

TEAM USA

Paralympian 2016|

4th 🏅

 

  • Sport: Swimming
  • Limb Difference: 
  • DOB: 4/23/93
  • Residence: Elkhart, IN
  • College: University of Indianapolis
  • Previous Games: 2016|
  • Classification: S10/SB8/SM10

 

Amplitude