Philip Scholz

Early life

Philip Scholz was born in Munich, Germany, to parents Thomas and Ariane Scholz. At a young age, Philip was diagnosed with Stickler Syndrome, a genetic defect that can cause problems with the ears, eyes, throat, and joints. Philip went blind in his left eye at the age of six due to retinal detachments, brought on directly by Styckler Syndrome.

Swimming career

Philip's first swim team was the Three Village Swim Club (TVSC), coached by Barry Roffer, which he first joined in September 1998. Initially considered a sighted swimmer, he was easily able to fit right in on the team.

After losing his sight, Philip continued swimming and graduated from TVSC in 2007. He then went on to swim for the Loyola Greyhounds Swim Team at Loyola University Maryland under coach Brian Loeffler. While on the team he helped the Greyhounds to 3 straight Men's MAAC Swimming and Diving titles.

Philip's first Paralympic meet was the Georgia Open in Atlanta, Georgia in January 2006.

After becoming an American citizen in November 2007, Philip went on the international stage at the University of Maryland, College Park, where he set several long-course American records in the 50 meter butterfly, the 800 meter freestyle, and the 1500 meter freestyle. Before that, he had also set eight short course American records in Loyola's H2Ounds Invitational swim meet, setting times in the 50 yard freestyle, the 100 yard freestyle, the 200 yard freestyle, the 500 yard freestyle, the 1000 yard freestyle, the 1650 yard freestyle, the 100 yard butterfly, and the 200 yard butterfly.

Philip Scholz represented the United States of America in the 2008 Paralympic Games in China, qualifying in the 50 meter freestyle, the 100 meter freestyle, the 400 meter freestyle, the 100 meter butterfly, and the 100 meter backstroke. He placed 5th overall in the 400 meter freestyle and 8th overall in the 100 meter butterfly.

Since the 2008 Paralympics, Philip has become the American record holder for all short course events (yards), and the American record holder in the 200 meter butterfly, 800 meter freestyle, the 1500 meter freestyle, the 50 meter butterfly, and the 50 meter backstroke. He has also briefly held the world record in the 200 meter butterfly.

In 2008 he was nominated for an ESPY Award, for Best Male Athlete with a Disability ESPY Award. Philip Scholz retired from competitive swimming in August 2012.