Ashley Twichell Wins Fran Crippen Foundation Award
The Fran Crippen Elevation Foundation named the first recipients of its “Work the Dream” Grant. The Foundation awarded individual grants to a male and female swimmer whom they felt embodies Fran Crippen’s passion and dedication to sport. The grant provides financial support to deserving athletes in pursuit of their Olympic dream. The 2011-2012 recipients of the “Work the Dream” grant are world championship double-medalist Ashley Twitchell and USA Swimming national pool swimming team member Matt McLean.After Ashley spent her college as pool distance swimmer, but quickly transformed to a world-class open water swimmer. Following her graduation at Duke University, Ashley moved to Southern California to train with Coach Bill Rose with Chloe Sutton and Christine Jennings at the prestigious Mission Viejo Nadadores swim team. Ashley won 5K at the USA Swimming National Open Water Swimming Championships. This put her on the national team that competed in Shanghai at the 2011 FINA World Swimming Championships where she barely missed out on a gold medal in the 5K and won a gold in the 5K Team Pursuit event.
Ashley was named the 2011 Female Open Water Swimmer of the Year by USA Swimming and will represent the USA in the Pan American Games in the 800 m freestyle.
It is the mission of the Fran Crippen Elevation Foundation to empower and protect individuals as they elevate themselves in pursuit of their lifelong dreams. As a central voice for athlete safety, the Foundation focuses on enhancing the culture of respect for athletes’ protection. It actively advocates for safe competitive environments, with a focus on open water swimming events. Fran’s boundless enthusiasm taught his community, teammates, competitors and those who he touched much about enjoying life, embracing opportunities, and having dreams. In that spirit, it provides resources to aid athletes who embody Fran’s passionate, inspiring character and promote egalitarian goodwill programs that encourage sportsmanship across the world.
Photo by Dr. Jim Miller shows Ashley Twitchell receiving one of her world championship medals in Shanghai, China.
Copyright © 2011 by Open Water Source
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff. Note: WOWSA only recommends products or services used or recommended by the community. WOWSA does not receive compensation for links or products mentioned on this site or in blog posts. If it does, it will be indicated clearly on that specific post. See WOWSA's privacy policy for more information.
Latest posts by Steven Munatones (see all)
