Karen Viloria

The XVI Pan American Games, 2011 are taking place in Guadalajara, Mexico, and a young Honduran swimmer there is turning some heads. The Pan American Games invites athletes from all over the American continent to participate in an international celebration of friendship and sports. The Games are held every four years, in the year leading up to the Olympic Games.

Representing Honduras in the competitions, Karen Vilorio broke the national record in the 100-meter backstroke this weekend. Vilorio is a freshman at Florida Gulf Coast University; she graduated last year from Elvel School in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

"Just a few days ago she was told she couldn’t compete here, and then was told she could only race in the 400 IM," said Studd. "Only after arriving, we found out they would let her swim her primary events, the 100 and 200 backstroke. It says a lot about her character that she put all of that aside and swam her lifetime best and new national record, I am very proud of her."

"After everything Karen (Vilorio) has been through leading up to this event, she has remained composed and gave it her very best effort," he added. "She swam a very intelligent race and was rewarded with a new national record, dropping her own mark by almost a second.&nquot;

Vilorio also competed in the 400-meter individual medley, placing 22nd with a time of 5:27.31. Most of the swimmers had slower times due to the high altitude at the competition. Being at 2,400 feet above sea level, Vilorio had to receive oxygen after her race to help her recover and reduce altitude headaches.

The Tegucigalpa, Honduras native is a backstroke specialist and will compete in a 200-meter race on Thursday.