Local Paralympic Swimmer Goes for the Gold

Seventeen-year-old Anna Johannes of Mount Vernon doesn’t let anything stand in her way.

Her independent spirit has served her well in her journey to the 2012 Paralympics in London, which begins today. Johannes, a swimmer, was ranked sixth in the world in the 100 meter breaststroke. Just this year, she jumped from sixth to third place. This accomplishment was her gateway to the Paralympics.

Johannes is missing her left arm and forearm due to a birth defect caused by Amniotic Band Syndrome. But her disability never got in the way of her desire to swim. Johannes has competed in local swim teams at a young age, and competed in her first Paralympic swim meet in 2004. Since then, she competed in one Paralympic swim meet annually and continued to improve, said her mother, Dianna Johannes.

“She’s very persistent,” Dianna said of her daughter. “She’s a Leo, I read somewhere that Leo the Lion is noble, charming, and tenacious, and she’s definitely tenacious. She latches onto a goal and sticks to it.”

Johannes has been training for the Paralympics consistently for the last two years. Her training regimen has been ramped up over the past few weeks in order to get her in top shape for the Paralympics.

“Monday through Saturday we have swim practice from 7 to 9 a.m. and then on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays we have weights from 2 to 3 and another swim class right after that from 3:30 to 5,” Johannes said. “On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays I usually do some kind of ab and cardio mix, so I’ll be on a stationary bike for 20 minutes and then do some ab work.”

Johannes will compete in the 100 meter breaststroke and 200 meter individual medley at this year’s Paralympic games.

Johannes moved to the U.S. Olympic Training Complex in Colorado Springs for training after she completed her junior year at Mount Vernon High School in 2010. She said that being so young and moving away from home was a bit challenging at first.

“When you start living out on your own, you start to learn things and then there’s no time for mistakes,” Johannes said. “If you mess up it’s kind of your one shot.”

Johannes took online courses through Fairfax County Public Schools and graduated from in 2011. She made a special trip home to attend her graduation, attend her all-night grad party, and catch up with friends and family.

“I’m so excited I was able to do that,” she recalled. “I really wanted to be able to walk up on that stage and get my diploma.”

Johannes still has a special place in her heart for her hometown.  

“I just miss it so much,” she said. “It’s just absolutely gorgeous. A lot of my mom’s side of family is there…everyone is just so supportive of my swimming. People at my high school – they are just completely understanding. It’s been an absolute blessing going to school there and living there.”

Johannes considers her coach, Dave Denniston, her mentor. Denniston was an Olympic hopeful in the 100 meter and 200 meter breaststroke who just missed making the 2004 Olympic team. He was injured in a sledding accident in 2005 and was paralyzed as a result from that accident. Since his accident, he has competed in the Paralympic Games in Beijing and was named head coach of the Paralympic swimming team. 

“He is an amazing athlete and to have him coach me in the breaststroke, in the past two years I dropped 7.5 seconds in the 100m breaststroke,” Johannes said of Denniston. “I look up to him and anything he says I’ll do it.  If it’s the 1000 meter butterfly, I’ll do it.”

After the Paralympics wrap up on Sept. 9, Johannes plans to take some downtime and travel with friends.

“We’re going to spend a day in London and go to high tea,” she said. “Then we’re going to take a train to Paris and stay in a hotel there, go to the Louvre and go to the Eiffel Tower.”