NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk State University alumna April Holmes recorded another chapter in her storied Paralympic track and field career last week, when she qualified for the 2016 Paralympics by virtue of her performance at the U.S. Paralympic Team Trials in Charlotte, N.C. [easyazon_infoblock align=”right” cart=”y” identifier=”B01DYKWM08″ locale=”US” tag=”hbcusports-20″]
Holmes won the 200 meter dash and placed second in the 100 meters in the T44 classification for below-the-knee amputees. Holmes clocked a time of 28.29 seconds in the 200 meters, and a 13.60 in the 100 meters. Final U.S. Paralympic Team race entries have not been set, but she is expected to compete in both events in this year’s Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from Sept. 7-18.
This year will mark the fourth straight Paralympics in which Holmes will compete. She is a three-time Paralympic medalist, winning bronze in the long jump in 2004 (Athens), gold in the 100 meters in 2008 (Beijing) and bronze in the 100 in 2012 (London).
Holmes, 43, had her left leg amputated below the knee following a train accident in 2001. In addition to becoming a record-setting Paralympic athlete, the former All-CIAA track and cross country performer and 1996 graduate of NSU has also gained notoriety as a motivational speaker, disabilities advocate and author since her accident.
Courtesy: NSU Athletics
