University of Massachusets Athletics
UMass' Prout Perseveres In Pool
July 31, 2008 | Men's Swimming & Diving
July 31, 2008
Michael Prout has faced tough challenges throughout his entire life, and when the University of Massachusetts swimmer travels to Beijing for the 2008 Paralympic Games in September, he will probably be able to add it to the long list of those he's conquered.
Prout, a native of Westfield, Mass., was born with a right arm shorter than his left, a right hand with three fingers, and a right leg shorter and weaker than his other side - results of Ambiotic Band Syndrome his mother developed during pregnancy.
The rising senior has undergone several surgeries, including operations on his hip, and a procedure to lengthen his right leg three inches at 12 years old. After having surgery at five years of age, Prout began swimming as a means to rehabilitate his hip. Prout immediately took to the water, and began swimming on a local club team.
"My mom said even when I was a baby, I loved the water," said Prout. "She has relatives that either swim coaches or swimmers, so, I guess it's in the family a little bit. I started swimming on a team when I was five, and it was kind of natural. I got faster and faster, and my sister and my brother swim, too. It was something we were all good at."
Although he has competed against able-bodied swimmers throughout his career, Prout's disabilities do slow him down a bit. His shorter right arm and smaller hand give him less of a catch in the water, so his pull is not as strong, and his kick is also weaker on the right side.
Prout was 16 years of age when he was introduced to Paralympic swimming - events held for people with disabilities.
"I was at a swim meet, and one of the coaches was involved in the Paralympics, and told me about it," said Prout. "My family and I didn't know anything about it. I was just swimming with able-bodied swimmers and doing fine there. We decided to check it out, so I went to a swim meet in Seattle and won seven events."
That was just the beginning for Prout, who went on to win two medals at the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens, including a gold medal in the 400-meter freestyle. There are 10 classifications of disabilities, ranging from 1 (severe) to 10 (minimal). Prout competes in the S9 classification.
"It's a little different, especially walking around on deck," said Prout. "Instead of seeing all these swimmer-type big guys, you see people missing arms and legs. At first, it's a little strange to get used to, but then it was fun. Competition-wise it was better for me to compete against people that were at the same level. It evened the playing field for me."
Following his success in Athens, Prout arrived at UMass for his freshman year. Growing up just 30 miles from campus, Prout wanted to swim for the Minutemen, so he contacted long-time head coach Russ Yarworth.
"I wasn't sure he could swim with us, because his times weren't competitive," said Yarworth. "Because of roster limits, I didn't know if I'd have a spot on the team for him. We were able to give him a spot, and I'm so psyched that we did because I think he's been an inspiration for us because of what he can get out of his body."
Yarworth praises Prout for the work ethic and determination he brings to the team, despite his times being about 20 seconds slower than his teammates in the 500 yard freestyle.
"In my coaching career, I've seldom seen a kid with the aerobic capacity and pain tolerance he has. He is not competitive with his best times against our best swimmers in the distance group, but his training and work ethic allows him to train and their level. It's truly amazing to watch."
Currently, Yarworth is helping Prout train for the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing which begin in September. He is among the favorites to win the 400 meter freestyle, and will also compete in the 50 and 100 freestyle, 100 butterfly, 100 backstroke, 200 individual medley and probably one relay. Already this summer, Prout set a new American record in the 200 meter freestyle, competing at the CanAm Championships in Victoria, British Columbia.
Prout and his teammates will train in Colorado for two weeks before spending another two weeks in Japan, and then heading off to Beijing in time for the Games on Sept. 3. He has never been to Asia and is excited to explore.
"It will be fun going to see what's on the other side of the world," said Prout.
The United States is expected to do well in the medal count with their greatest competition coming from Great Britain and Australia according to Prout. He feels a bit of pressure to defend his gold medal in the 400 meters, but is also excited to watch him teammates succeed.
"It's great to see people overcome severe disabilities - being in wheelchairs, missing arms and legs - and still competing and training hard," said Prout. "It helps motivate you to keep going."
Swimming has been one of the main sports of the Paralympics since the first Games were held in Rome in 1960. Athletes from over 80 countries with varying degrees of disability will compete in the 2008 Paralympics.