2000 Olympic Gold Medalist- 200 Fly

NCAA Top VIII Award- Class of 2002

Five Time NCAA Champion

Current American Record Holder

Former World Record Holder

Beating Susie O’Neil at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney to win the Gold!

My trip to the White House after the Olympics inspired me very much.  The Olympics are a wonderful symbol of what is possible when human beings strive to be the best they can be, and when I was there I could feel that powerful energy.  However, when I went to the White House there was a different kind of energy that was even more powerful.  Not only is the White House a very symbolic place, but it is also a place where history and decisions that affect people’s lives are made.

Favorite Food:  Ahi Tuna (rare)

Favorite Movie:  Thomas Crowne Affair

Hobbies:  Reading, traveling

Other fun facts:  Full name is Misty Dawn, because she was born on one.

I started swimming at age 5, because I was diagnosed with asthma.  My doctor said it was the best sport for asthmatics.  I started at a summer league, and my mom noticed that it did help.  So, she looked for a year round team close to our house.  Little did we know how much that day would change my life!  The doctor was right, though, swimming has made my lungs much stronger and healthier and the doctors are always impressed that I don’t have any scar tissue in my lungs thanks to swimming.

One of the biggest challenges in my swimming career was the FINA rule change in 1998 that limited underwater breakouts to 15 meters.   It was a huge setback for me, because my race strategy depended on my underwater kick.  However, ultimately I believe that this setback made me a better swimmer.  I had to go back to the drawing board and find other ways to go fast.   I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to put it all together in time, but I couldn’t have asked for a better moment to have that breakthrough swim.

Some of mys speaking and clinic topics include: 

• Innovation: Fish Kick story (with an emphasis on the importance of education)
• Underwater Technique and Development
• Race Strategy: The three main variables that make up your time and how to manage them
• Girl Power!
• Mental Preparation
• The importance of Technique and Teamwork
• Butterfly Technique and Race Strategy