Lap to victory: Cathedral swimmer overcomes adversity to find success in the pool

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Gabriel Delgado's love for swimming started at an early age.

As a baby, his family would put him on a floaty and push him around in the pool.

Now at 14-years-old, Delgado is one of the best swimmers in El Paso.

A freshman at Cathedral High School, Delgado is part of the school's swim team, but he's had to overcome challenges both in and out of the pool.

Delgado has osteogenesis imperfecta, a genetic disorder that causes his bones to be extremely fragile and break easily.

He's had numerous surgeries throughout his life, and his mobility is limited.

Delgado uses a wheelchair, but being in the pool provides an escape and also freedom.

"I rely a lot on my arms, so it's pretty easy," Delgado said. "My legs didn't hurt as much (being in the pool). It was easier for me to move, I was fast."

Delgado was so fast, his medals started to pile up.

In December, he competed at the U.S. Paralympics Swimming National Championships.

He won gold in the 200m backstroke in his disability class, and in February he and the Cathedral swim team won a state title.

Gabriel has also relied on the support of his family especially his father, Mateo Delgado.

"Having him swim with the team tells me that he belongs, and tells him he belongs with everyone else," Mateo Delgado said. 

Mateo Delgado also has osteogenesis imperfecta, but he didn't let his disability get in the way of his passion for swimming.

He swam competitively at Cathedral, and then in college at the University of New Mexico.

Mateo Delgado knew the advantages swimming would provide, and also the challenges his son would face.

"I was able to kind of guide him (Gabriel) through my own failings to help him succeed," Mateo Delgado said. "I would tell him that if I've done something, I want you to do it better than I did."

Gabriel agreed that his father's advice was crucial to his success.

"I'd argue it was very important," Gabriel Delgado said about his father's mentoring. "Cause without him I probably would have been lost, and I wouldn't have known how to do it, but he helped me, so I'm alright."

Gabriel has big plans for his future.

His goal is to compete for Team USA at the 2028 Paralympic Games.