Meet 2016 US Olympian Gunnar Bentz from Atlanta, Georgia, who will be make his 1st Olympic appearance at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games this summer. In his video, Bentz talks about why he chose the sport of swimming, and his recent skydiving experience on his birthday. He also talks about the excitement surrounding the other Olympic athletes they may run into in the Olympic village.
From his bio:
Gunnar Bentz is a versatile U.S. National Team member from Atlanta, Ga.. Born Jan. 3, 1996 to business owners, Steve and Missy Bentz, he was raised in an athletic environment – both Steve and Missy were collegiate athletes at Berry College on the track and field team. He also has two sisters, Kenzie and Raleigh, and a beagle/lab mix named Boston. Bentz was in the water at a young age. He was swimming at 3 years old, but claims it was because he wasn’t good at any other sports. Bentz graduated from St. Pius X Catholic High School where he was a Georgia state champion, national champion and record holder. Bentz was the no. two recruit in the class of 2014, and although he’s most known for his success in the IM events he also has impressive breaststroke and freestyle abilities. Bentz received the rare honor of being named a cover personality of Swimming World Magazine because there’s only 12 each year – he was named one of four athletes to watch at the National Championships.
University of Georgia
2014-2015
As a freshman Bentz earned the SEC Freshman of the Week twice this season and earned NCAA ‘A’ cuts. At his first SEC Championships Bentz took 10th in the 200 IM, sixth in the 400 IM and 11th in the 200 breaststroke.
2015-2016
At the NCAA Championships as a sophomore, Bentz made the final in each of his individual events. His best finish came in the 400 yard medley where he finished 4th. In the 200 yard medley he finished 5th and 7th in the 200 meter butterfly. He was also named the recipient of the Reed Patterson Swimming Scholarship.
International Competition
Bentz has made waves in the international swimming scene. He’s competed meets across the globe including 2013 FINA World Junior Championships where he won two gold medals setting Junior World Records in the 200m IM and the 400m IM. He then followed his performance up by competing at the 2013 FINA World Cup in Beijing and Tokyo.
A year prior Bentz represented the U.S. at the 2012 FINA World Cup as well as the 2012 Junior Pan Pacific Championships in which he brought home two bronze medals. At the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials Bentz finished 12th in the 400m IM, just four spots out of the final, and he also came in 24th in the 200m IM.
2015 Pan American Games
In Toronto Bentz finished with a bronze medal in the 200 meter medley, finishing behind two Brazilians. He was also a part of the silver medal winning 800 meter freestyle relay, again finishing behind the Brazilian team.
2016 U.S Olympic Trials
Bentz secure his spot on the plane to his first Olympics with a 5th place finish in the 200 meter freestyle. He will head to Rio as an option for the 800 meter freestyle relay.
Congratulations Gunnar – I watched you swim all 4 years at the Georgia High School State Meet at Tech. Your Darth Vader entrance one year was priceless but my most vivid memory was your senior year in the 4 x 100 free relay when you guys were almost a full 25 yards behind and you anchored your relay and not only caught up but got first place! Have fun in RIO.
Go Gunnar Bentz. Atlanta, Ga. We are proud of you representing the USA.
Go SPX!