Florence native Denigan sent off with bash before heading to Team USA training

Walton, Kentucky's Mariah Denigan received quite the homecoming Monday evening at the Florence Aquatics Center.The Northern Kentucky swim league is sending one of their own to the 2024 Paris Olympics.The city of Florence officially recognized July 1 as Mariah Denigan Day ahead of her departure for Team USA training on Tuesday.Denigan will represent the U.S. in the 10K open water event.It was a surreal moment for Denigan, who fell in love with swimming at the age of seven at the Florence Aquatics Center."I wasn't expecting it at all. It's such a sweet surprise," she said. "And just I just felt so loved in the moment. And like I said, it was a full circle moment. I started my swimming here at this pool and it's just great that I have this opportunity to come back before leaving for the Olympics."The women's 10K open water swim will take place on Thursday, Aug. 8. The race is set to start at 1:30 p.m.