Karen Casper-Robeson
Competition | 1987
Hometown: St. Paul, Minnesota
Karen Casper-Robeson established herself as a premier swimmer and racer at a young age and continued through the years to improve and impress the women’s sports world. Karen was active in wheelchair sports from 1973 to 1984, during which time she won fifty-five gold medals at multiple National Wheelchair Games; seven gold medals total at the 1973 Pan America Games in Lima, Peru; the 1975 Games in Mexico City; and the Pan American competition held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In addition, Karen won six gold medals at the Stoke Mandeville Games and one gold medal at the 1976 Paralympics in Toronto, Canada. In track competition, Karen held national records in the 60 and 100 yard dashes and as a member of the 4 x 100 yard relay. On top of all of these accomplishments, She won countless silver and bronze medals in various competitions.
Karen held twelve USA national records in swimming, including the 50 yard and 50 meter backstroke; 50 yard and 50 meter breaststroke; 50 yard and 50 meter freestyle; 50 yard and 50 meter butterfly; 400 yard and 350 meter freestyle; and the 200 yard and 200 meter individual medley.
Karen is credited with the success of women’s wheelchair basketball. She was a member of one of the original teams in the National Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Association. She was on numerous all-tournament teams and served in various executive positions, including assistant commissioner of the women’s division. Karen was inducted into the NWBA Hall of Fame in 2002.
