Local Teen Fencer Qualifies for the Paralympics

Parma teenager Lauryn DeLuca, a competitor in the sport of wheelchair fencing, clinched her spot at the 2016 Paralympic Games by taking home the gold this week at the Pan American Wheelchair Championships in Sao Paulo, Brazil. DeLuca, 16, is already a three-time national champion in Women's Wheelchair Fencing.

DeLuca defeated her USA teammate Vikki Espinosa (Portland, Ore.) in the finals by a score of 15-9, making her the only female fencer from the US to qualify for these Paralympics.

Lauryn began her fencing career as an able-bodied fencer dealing with the unique challenges of cerebral palsy, before transitioning to wheelchair fencing after being scouted by the US national wheelchair coach at a local event. She represents North Royalton fencing club Hooked on Fencing, where she has trained since 2009.