Groters Wins Three Medals, Sets New Records

 
Cali-Valle, Colombia – South Carolina junior Patrick Groters has earned two gold medals and one silver at the Junior Pan American Games for Team Aruba. Along with his medals, Groters achieved two Junior Pan American Games records and two national records for his home country of Aruba.
 
Groters started off the competition strong, swimming a 2:01.78 in the 200 meter backstroke to earn gold. His time automatically qualified him for a spot at the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, in 2023. The time set the record for the Junior Pan American Games, as well as a new national record for Aruba.
 
Groters then went on to earn silver in the 100 meter backstroke with a time of 55.75. This time also set a new Aruban national record.
 
Groters third medal of the competition came in the 200 meter individual medley. He swam a 2:02.09 to win the gold medal and set a second Junior Pan American Games record.
 
With the addition of Groters’ two new national records for Aruba, he now holds a total of five of the country’s individual records in long course (50 m) swimming.
 
Groters was one of 16 athletes chosen to represent Team Aruba and currently holds all three of his team’s medals.
 
Events at the Junior Pan American Games will continue through December 5 and can be streamed at panamsportschannel.org/cali-2021
 
Groters will be back in action for the Gamecocks next on January 15 for Carolina’s meet versus UNC Wilmington at the Carolina Natatorium.
 
For all the latest South Carolina swimming and diving information, continue to follow GamecocksOnline.com or the team on social media (@GamecockSwim).