Elizabeth Marks is a 100 meters freestyle swimmer from the Invictus Games and a former Sgt. in the US Army. As a soldier serving in Iraq in 2010, Elizabeth suffered severe hip injuries which left her with no sensation in her left leg. She took up swimming as a form of rehabilitation and was spotted by an Army coach who told her to try out for the Warrior Games. In 2014, she fell gravely ill, her lungs filled with fluid and she had to put into an induced coma and was left to fight for her life. Miraculously, she recovered and two years later competed at the Invictus Games in 2016. She won the gold medal in the 100 meters freestyle swimming competition. Elizabeth was honored at the ESPY Awards for the Pat Tillman Award for service.                                                                      

About the Mask Artist: Ashlarah displays her artwork at the Roxborough Art Gallery.  Her most preferred mediums are acrylic and pastel, but she is drawn to any medium with vibrant colors. Her subjects for painting are the ephemeral and beautiful things that fill everyday life: flowers, sunsets, animals and human beings.

This mask depicts some of the watery wonders that swimmers encounter - huge waves and tiny fish.