Name: Caitlin Leverenz
Year: 2013
Claim to fame: Swimming
As any proud Cal student can attest, UC Berkeley was well-represented at the 2012 London Summer Olympics; the 45 participants comprised of one event manager, one chief medical examiner, five coaches, and thirty-eight athletes. One such competitor was Cal senior, Caitlin Leverenz.
Leverenz had fallen short of making the Olympic team at the Olympic trials in 2008, but came back with a vengeance in 2012 by finishing first in the 200-meter individual medley and second in the 400-meter individual medley at the 2012 Olympic trials in Omaha to join the U.S. team in London. In London, she won her first Olympic medal, a bronze, in the 200-meter individual medley, powered in large part by her speedy breaststroke. She also placed sixth in the 400-meter individual medley.
Back at home, she has been a key asset to the Cal Golden Bears Swimming and Diving team, who have won two out of the last three NCAA national titles. At the 2011 NCAA championships, Leverenz swam the breaststroke leg of the 4×50 medley relay, in which the Bears set an NCAA and American record time for the event.
Leverenz began her swimming career at her local swim club in Tucson, Arizona, and as a high school senior, was one of the top recruits in the United States. Her favorite television show is Mythbusters and her favorite movies are the Princess Bride and Moulin Rouge. In the spare time that she has, Leverenz does yoga to relax and volunteers at church.
Image source:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/gallery/featured/GAL1203366/22/44…
Source:
http://www.calbears.com/sports/w-swim/mtt/leverenz_caitlin00.html
http://www.usaswimming.org/DesktopModules/BioViewManaged.aspx?personid=8…
http://www.teamusa.org/Athletes/LE/Caitlin-Leverenz.aspx