The stands in the Williams Center pool are packed with spectators anxiously awaiting the start of the Warhawks’ swim meet.

Students fill whole sections to cheer on their friends. Parents fight to get the best seats so they can take dozens of pictures of their son or daughter. Once the races start, the cheers from the fans and athletes become a deafening roar.

Then it becomes quiet.

The next race is about to start, but the attention of the crowd is fixed on one swimmer in particular.

Everyone’s eyes fall on him as he approaches the starting platform on one leg and adjusts his cap with an arm that is nonexistent below the bicep.

The swimmer is sophomore Alex Dionne. The Mequon native experienced severe complications during fetal development when the amniotic sac formed around his limbs and stopped them from forming. Consequently, he was born without a right leg, and his left arm ends just below his elbow.

Dionne was born in Panama. His current family adopted him when he was 4-years-old and brought him to the United States.

“I don’t really remember much from Panama,” Dionne said. “But I do remember moving around and being in a foster home, then I was adopted and have lived in Wisconsin my whole life.”

Dionne is also a transfer student from the University of Minnesota. He was not allowed to swim for the Gophers because his times were not good enough, so he swam with a club team.

When UW-Whitewater swimming and diving head coach Joel Rollings told Dionne he could be part of the school’s team, he decided to become a Warhawk.

“The guy kicks [butt],” Rollings said. “He shows up and trains like no one I’ve ever seen train before. He just doesn’t quit.”
Dionne said his workouts are no different than any other swimmer.

“Sometimes I actually have to go longer because I’m a distance swimmer,” Dionne said.

Dionne competes in the 500, the 1,000, and the mile. His physical abilities might not match up with those of other swimmers, but Dionne takes pride in the fact he is held to the same standard as every other swimmer.

“I really appreciate that,” Dionne said. “Not only does it help me train better, but that means the coaches don’t see me as a disabled athlete. They just see me as a swimmer.”

On the surface, Dionne may appear to be physically disabled, but to other team members, he is so much more.

“He is one of us,“ Rollings said. “He has a great work ethic. He keeps practice fun. He’s inspirational.”

While his team has welcomed him with open arms, some of Dionne’s fondest memories are of pools thousands of miles away.

Dionne has competed in several prestigious swimming competitions around the world throughout his career, including the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, China.

Dionne embraced the challenge of competing against other swimmers of his caliber, and realized competition on the world stage was far different than any he had faced on the collegiate level.

“Once you get there, you realize you’re not a regular athlete or a club swimmer anymore,” Dionne said. “You are an elite swimmer representing your country.”

He barely missed his chance at a medal by finishing fourth in the 400-meter freestyle. Still, Dionne boasts medals in a variety of competitions across the globe.

In April, he will return to Minneapolis to participate in a qualifier that will give him the chance to compete in the London 2012 Paralympic games.

Through all of the challenges Dionne has faced, he is grateful for the support he has from family, friends and his team.

“It’s a phenomenal feeling to have people who support me,” Dionne said.

For physical support, Dionne uses a prosthetic leg that attaches to his waist with a belt. Though winter has provided a variety of physical barriers for him, Dionne said he welcomes the challenges associated with using a prosthesis.

“Part of me says that ‘Yeah, I could use a wheel chair,’” Dionne said. “But it kind of goes back to my training where I want that extra challenge.”

Dionne admits he uses a wheelchair to conserve energy before swim meets, but uses his prosthesis any other day.

“It’s too easy,” Dionne said.

It is Dionne’s choice to swim the longest, most demanding races and to haul a prosthetic leg around that is almost one-third his body weight.

He wants to be held to the same standard as his able-bodied teammates, even though he might not win the race.

“I’m probably going to be last,” Dionne said. “I’m more concerned with the challenge it offers. I want everyone to know that I am an athlete, and that people with limitations can do great things.”

His coach shares his sentiments.

“I think that’s the coolest thing about sports,” Rollings said. “You go beyond gender, race, ability level, or whatever, and you focus on what someone brings to the table.”

What Dionne brings to the table is an unshakeable determination in himself that will undoubtedly lend itself to his swimming career.

The way Dionne was born turns everyday tasks for able-bodied people into seemingly impossible tasks for him.

He doesn’t waste precious time and energy wishing for another arm or another leg. He just finds a way to succeed.