Gallaudet University sophomore Kristoffer Lauderbaugh, was recently selected
to the United States National Deaf Team to compete at the World Deaf Swimming
Championships. Lauderbaugh was one of 12 swimmers aged 14 to 24 who will spend
the summer training for six days of competition in Taipei, Taiwan, August
11-18, 2007. The United States Men's swim team placed 6th in the world in the
800 freestyle relay. With that under his belt, Kristoffer is now in intense
training for the 2009 Deaflympics. Time Trials for the deaflympics will be
held in Palantine, Illinois July 2008.
The United States national deaf team represents different geographical areas
as well as different communication modes, and different hearing technology.
Some of the athletes use American Sign Language, some speak; some prefer not
to use hearing aids and some have cochlear implants. All are deaf in the
water. They truly reflect the diversity and range amongst the deaf population,
but all are dedicated athletes and hard working students.
Lauderbaugh had a rough start to life. At six months of age Kris contracted
bacterial meningitis. He almost lost his life. Lauderbaugh lost his hearing
and was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsey. He was projected to never walk, sit
up, or be able to take care of himself. He was determined to prove them all
wrong. Kris pulled himself up, tore apart furniture to make himself a walker
and strengthen his legs. He wanted to swim from an early age and was a fish in
the water. He didn’t walk until he was four, couldn’t jump until he was six,
and couldn’t run until he was eight. Nothing ever held him back. He was
determined to be active and whole.
Lauderbaugh has been swimming competitively since he was ten years old. A
member of the Gallaudet Aqua Bison, Kris is coached by Bill Snape, who was
selected by a committee as the 2007 Coach for the United States World Deaf
Swimming Team. Kris is a member of USA swimming, USA Deaf Sports Federation,
and United States Deaf Swimming. Lauderbaugh was a member of the Riverside
High School varsity swim team his Junior and Senior year under Coach’s Franz,
Franz, and Snyder. Kris also served as a member of the Eastlake Vikings summer
swim league under Coach Greg Tompkins (2005-2006) as well as a member of
Wickliffe Water Devils under Coach Becky Rowell (2000-2004). Lauderbaugh
currently attends Gallaudet University in Washington, DC as a sophomore
swimmer on their Varsity Team. Kris has already beat four of their pool relay
records in 2007 (one of them twice!), and 5 of them in 2008.Kris spent all of
2007 training for, and participating in the World Deaf Swimming Championship.
He seems to have a gift for swimming and believes that this gift comes from
God. Lauderbaugh believes that God’s gifts are for His glory, and plans to use
his gifts at the Deaflympics in 2009!
As much as he loves swimming, Kris believes that his academic preparation must
come first. Through focus and training Lauderbaugh is learning to juggle the
demands of college classes with his training. Kris is a Optimist Local essay
winner (2006). Along with essay writing, he enjoys playing billiards, bowling,
cycling, and baseball.
The Deaflympics will allow deaf athletes an opportunity to compete with none
of the communication barriers that may exist when they compete with athletes
who can hear. Some minor adaptations are made, such as substituting auditory
cues with visual ones, but otherwise there are no "special" rules. Many Deaf
people consider themselves to have a unique culture. The Deaflympics provides
athletic competition and a chance to celebrate that culture all within an
international context.
United States Deaf Swimming, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organizaton, has been
appointed by the United States Deaf Sports Federation to identify deaf
swimmers, select a national team, and provide the support necessary for
success in international events including the Deaflympics in Taipei, Taiwan
2009. FINA, International Deaf Sports Committee, and the US Olympic Commission
sanction the World Deaf Swimming Championships, however no funding is provided
to the team by these organizations. Each athlete is obliged to raise the
necessary $7,000 to pay for his or her expenses.
For more information on United States Deaf Swimming and how you can help
please visit
www.unitedstatesdeafswimming.org.
You can also check out Kristoffer Lauderbaugh's website at
www.freewebs.com/usdsdeafswimmer or his myspace at
www.myspace.com/padrechaargerfan
Source: United States Deaf Swimming
