Kylah Schlott is a powerhouse in the pool, having a huge week at her very first USA Special Olympic games out in Minnesota.
“Pulling the first PA gold was pretty amazing and I think it just pumped up the rest of the swimmers,” said her mom, Ivana Schlott.
Schlott won the gold medal for 200-yard freestyle and bronze for the 100-yard individual medley.
“I looked up at my last lap, not my last lap, but I looked up and I was like, Oh my God, I just won,” said Schlott
Her mom added, “We were all crying, like her coach was crying and climbed up on the bleachers to talk to us. We were all crying.”
Schlott has been involved with Special Olympics for 18 years. She also participates in gymnastics, soccer, and floorball. But, in the water is where she shines.
“I kept her in swimming because she has epilepsy and I knew she needed to swim,” said her mother. “She has been two-years seizure free, so we just kept her in swimming. That’s what she loves.”
Her mom joked, all the 5 am practices paid off.
On her return from the games on Saturday, Reading Mayor Eddie Moran made sure she received a huge welcome home for her amazing accomplishments; with a community procession of fire trucks and police vehicles.
In a statement Mayor Moran said: “I’ve had the privilege of being an assistant coach where Kylah has participated, and watching her earn this gold medal has been incredibly prideful. She represents everything Special Olympics stands for – hard work, perseverance, and heart. We wanted to make sure she received the welcome home she deserves.”
Schlott said, “It feels really good, very excited.” Her mom says she’s so proud of her.