Northeastern swimming and diving recruit Kelley Becherer set a Paralympic world record in the 50-meter backstroke at the Speedo CanAm Championships in Edmonton, Alberta this past weekend. The accomplishment comes just a year after she set an American record in the same event at the 2008 CanAm Championships. Becherer, a Sheboygan, Wisc. native, swam a 32.92 to displace the old record of 33.62. She also won gold in the 100 fly and the 100 backstroke.

Becherer will enter her freshman year at Northeastern this fall, bringing with her a remarkable list of accomplishments. As a member of the US Paralympic team, she has earned three Paralympic medals, three IPC World Championship medals, set an American record, and now, a world record. Last summer at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic games, Becherer took home a gold medal in the 100-meter freestyle and bronze medals in the 100-meter and 400-meter freestyle. In addition to her international successes, she also had an impressive high school career, setting seven school records, earning three team MVP awards, and earning first-team All-Conference honors in each of her four seasons.

Becherer will join Alison Blom, Keary McClernan, Annie Lindland, Nicole Colucci, Allison Walker and Cassie Cesaro as part of a recruiting class that head coach Roy Coates says will “make an immediate impact on the team and the conference.” The Huskies open the 2009-10 season Oct. 3 with the Black and Red intrasquad meet at Barletta Natatorium. They will open the regular season against Central Connecticut State and Maine, Oct. 17 in a tri-meet that will also be held at Barletta Natatorium.