The Winner: Allison Schmitt
Allison Schmitt is the sometimes-overlooked member of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team, but she, in our opinion, is perhaps the most important member of the most successful swim team we’ve seen in the modern era of swimming: the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team.
The Olympic medals don’t even begin to scratch the surface, though 3 golds, 1 silver, 1 bronze, and an anchoring World Record as part of the 400 medley relay is a good place to start.
But here’s what doesn’t show up in the medal tables, at least not directly. This year, Schmitt reinvented herself from just a middle-distance, 200/400 freestyler into one of the top 100 freestylers in the country. A year before the Olympics, nobody would have ever believed that Schmitt would be a huge contributor on the 400 free and 400 medley relays at the Olympics. That made a huge impact on the United States’ overall success.
Michael Phelps found a near-perfect training partner in Allison Schmitt. (Photo Courtesy: Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)
Then, let’s not forget that she went to Baltimore this year to train with Bob Bowman and Michael Phelps. I don’t know if it was ever said by either, but it was easy to see the relationship between the two develop and would be hard to imagine that Phelps’ return-to-focus in the run up to his last Olympics had nothing to do with Schmitt’s personality. Even beyond just her and Phelps, Schmitt was the glue that held this Olympic Team together.
Whenever any of the team members were asked to talk about their teammates, their best teammates, their funniest teammates, the answers turned predictably to Schmitt. Missy Franklin, who herself would have been a worthy recipient of this award, has talked about Schmitt keeping everybody loose behind the blocks. This all while putting up some of the fastest 200 and 400 freestyles in history.
For reinvention, for elevating those around her, and for just being downright fast, Allison Schmitt is the winner of the 2012 Swammy for Female Swimmer of the Year.
If there were an award for funniest swimmer, Schmitt would probably win that too. She’s got jokes on jokes on jokes.
Honorable Mentions:
Missy Franklin, USA
Ranomi Kromowidjojo, Netherlands
Camille Muffat, France
Shiwen Ye, China
Lets also not forget that she’s helping Adidas get a foot in the door in American Swimming.
For me it’s still Missy but your award don’t shock me. I repeat for a long time now that Allison Schmitt is very underrated. She has been so important for the American relays. And watch again her 200 free in London on youtube. It’s one of the most dominant performances of all time. She destroys the field.
And the first big english error of the year! For me it’s still Missy but your award doesn’t shock me.
So well deserved . In 2011 , i was wondering when she would deliver a great 200 free . One year later in London , she swam the fastest textile 200 free in history . What an accomplishment . Bravo Allison .
Can’t wait to see her in Barcelona .
So well deserved! Couldn’t imagine the team without her. She’s a great swimmer and a great role model.
I have known her for about 4 years and she is a great girl! But if you want to know where she gets her sense of self and sense of humor just meet her parents! They are the nicest and most gracious and hilarious people! Congrats Allison!
She is such a wonderful person. Top 3 I believe overall medals….that should get some serious recognition. Dominance in the frees and stepped up on relays.
Great choice! My favorite swimmer & the greatest role model for young swimmers. Allison dominated in London. She did the work, with a smile–and I feel was overlooked by the media. Thank you for making the right choice!!
agree with your choice….very much overlooked after have an excellent olympics!