Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California.
The Fran Crippen Elevation Foundation annually awards its Work the Dream Grant to athletes who embody the remarkable traits that Fran Crippen was known for.
Over the last four years, the Foundation has honored Matt McLean, Ashley Twichell, Bobby Bollier, Michael Klueh, and Emily Brunemann with its grants.
American professional marathon swimmer Eva Fabian was chosen as the 2017 recipient.
“I am extremely honored and grateful to be the recipient of the ‘Work the Dream’ grant this year,” wrote the recent Yale University graduate. “This grant is very meaningful to me. As a teammate of Fran’s on many open water national teams, I am honored to carry on his legacy of leadership and mentorship, and to celebrate his love of open water swimming.
I am also incredibly grateful for the resources afforded by this grant which allows me to pursue my dream every day at the highest level.
Without the funds I am receiving from the grant, I would not be able to continue to live and train with my coach in New York City, and would struggle to pursue the career I have dreamed of since I was 8 years old. I strive to emulate Fran’s mentorship every day in my interactions with the club team at Asphalt Green, and will pass on his love of teaching and swimming when I begin instructing private lessons later this month. Thank you for the opportunity to continue training to become the best athlete I can be and to compete in the sport I love.”
Fabian joins her father-coach Jack Fabian and trains in Manhattan at the Asphalt Green.
For information on the Work the Dream Grant program, visit here.
Copyright © 2016 by World Open Water Swimming Association