Mary Jibb’s first finals swim in her Paralympic career was one to remember.
The Bracebridge, Ont., native placed fifth Tuesday in the women’s 100m breaststroke (S9), improving on her qualifying time by .59 seconds, posting a 1:12.33.
The 17-year-old, who is better known in the individual medley, made the turn in fourth but could not catch the rest of the pack as they came down the stretch, at the Paris La Defense Arena.
American Christie Raleigh-Crossley took home gold with a Paralympic record 1:07.92. Spain’s Nuria Marques Soto, took silver, while bronze went to Brazil’s Mariana Ribeiro. The gap between second and third was .03 seconds.
Jibb burst onto the scene at the World Series event in Indianapolis earlier this year, taking bronze in the open 100m breast, and gold in three youth swims, solidifing her bid for Paris.
The rookie will swim next on Wednesday in the 100m freestyle, followed by her specialty event — the women’s 200m individual medley on Thursday.
