At California Baptist University, one swimmer defied expectations and set new standards for determination and resilience.
Braxton Wong, freshman health science major and a swimmer on CBU’s men’s team, made history as the first amputee swimmer to join a Division I program, not only as a competitor but also as an inspiration to his teammates and the wider community.
“Yeah, I think it’s the first amputee in program history, D1, D2, NAIA, just in general,” said Jim Bossert, CBU’s head swim coach. “So it’s a really cool thing.”
Wong, who lost part of his leg at age five, trained as a para-athlete for several years, competing at a national level. Yet, his journey to Division I swimming was not always certain.
“During my time in high school, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to swim in college,” Wong said. “Not a lot of teams had reached out to me or gotten back with visits that were good academically for the things that I wanted to achieve.”
But CBU, under Coach Bossert’s leadership, saw potential beyond the water. The program’s commitment to supporting athletes of all abilities made Wong’s transition smoother than he had expected.
“I had known Jim for about a year before I came here,” Wong explained. “He coached our club for a little while, and just knowing that Jim already knew how I swim and the goals I wanted to achieve made the transition easier. The team itself has been really good to me. I wouldn’t say I’ve ever noticed any disconnect.”
Bossert was just as enthusiastic about bringing Wong onto the team.
“When I got the job here, I said, ‘Braxton, we’ve got to figure out how to get you to CBU. You’re going to thrive here,’” Bossert said. “I knew that Braxton would be welcomed with open arms. Our guys love him. It’s not about winning races for him it’s about pushing everyone around him to get better. And he does that every day.”
Bossert highlighted that Wong’s contributions went beyond swimming. “Braxton may not score points at conference or be on the scoring team, but he pushes everyone in practice. He shows them what it takes to set a goal and work relentlessly towards it. He makes others better.”
Wong’s impact was felt both in the pool and beyond. Teammate Avery Easterling, sophomore criminal justice and forensic chemistry major and CBU swimmer, notes that Wong’s determination inspired the entire team.
“He trains just as hard as everyone else and doesn’t make excuses. He makes the intervals and he doesn’t see his disability as a disability,” Easterling said. “It’s inspiring to see someone set a goal, no matter how unreasonable, and fully believe in themselves to achieve it. It makes you think, ‘If he can do it, I can too.’”
Wong’s achievements spoke for themselves. In October, he set an American record in his first dual meet at CBU, swimming in the S9 classification. “It was incredible,” Bossert said. “For Braxton to set an American record in his first meet– it just speaks to the level he competes at.”
His goals are far from over. Wong set his sights on breaking more American records this spring, including competing for the Para World Swimming Championships in Singapore later this year. In December, he earned four medals in the National Championships, and his next big goal is to make the World Championships team. His relentless commitment to both academics and athletics, including maintaining a high GPA while studying pre-physicians assistant, showed that Wong’s strive for excellence extended well beyond the pool.
Despite his impressive accomplishments, Wong remained humble and focused on his teammates and personal growth.
“I just think it’s really important for people with disabilities to be seen on rosters,” Wong said. “Being on a team like this brings more recognition, and that’s something that can really inspire others.”
Bossert agreed. “I’ve learned so much from Braxton,” he said. “He teaches us all to think differently, to find better ways to train and push ourselves. His presence in the program is a gift for all of us.”
This spring, Pursuit Magazine is set to feature an in-depth profile on Wong’s life, faith, and journey, spotlighting how his resilience inspires those around him. Until then, Wong continues to break barriers, motivate his teammates, and make history at CBU as a swimmer who demonstrates that the only limits are the ones we impose on ourselves.
