Tharon Drake Explains His Journey to Become the NCAA’s First Blind Swimming Coach

Growing up, I always dreamed big and knew with hard work I could make things happen. Maybe not on the first or second try, but after attempting something countless times, I knew I could accomplish just about anything. Today, I am a husband, swimmer, coach, 2016 Rio Paralympic medalist, and the first blind coach in USA Swimming and NCAA history.

Tharon Drake holds 13 American swimming records and as assistant swimming coach at Catawba College is the first blind swimming coach in NCAA history.Tharon Drake holds 13 American swimming records and as assistant swimming coach at Catawba College is the first blind swimming coach in NCAA history.

I began swimming at age nine. I liked it at first but wasn't sure if I loved it after the novelty wore off. For several years, I would ask my dad if I could quit, and he would simply tell me to finish the season. The season would come to an end, and I was always still there. Around the age of 14, I started to realize how much I loved the sport.

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