Gophers swimmer Summer Schmit finishes up run in Paris Paralympics

Minnesota Gophers swimmer Summer Schmit finished her final event in the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games on Thursday.

The 21-year-old Stillwater, Minn. native, ended her run in Paris with a fourth-place finish in the 200-meter individual medley, just outside the qualifying cutoff for the final, although she did serve as a reserve.

In addition to her efforts in the 200 IM, Schmit also swam in the 400-meter freestyle and 100-meter breaststroke, finishing top-10 overall in both qualifying rounds, including fourth in her 400m race — again just one spot past the qualifying cutoff for the final.

Overall, it was still a solid showing for Schmit, who was competing in her second Paralympics after having competed in Tokyo in 2021. Since then, she also competed in the World Championships in 2022, earning a bronze in the 400m freestyle.

At Minnesota, Schmit has earned several awards and honors, and this past season, she broke the S9 Para American record in the 100m breaststroke by swimming 1:14.48. She also was a 2024 Academic All-Big Ten honoree.

Born with congenital disarticulation of the right wrist and without a right hand, Schmit has let it slow her down. She’ll now return home for her junior season.