American swimmer Allison Schmitt has been selected as a member of the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2019. The Hall of Fame, which was first organized in 1954, recognizes “memorable contributors from multiple sports that have achieved prominence and represented their teams, schools, and the State of Michigan.”
The 28-year old Schmitt has represented the United States at 3 Olympic Games, beginning in 2008 and continuing at the 2012 and 2016 Games. She’s earned medals at each of those meets, amassing in total 4 golds, 2 silvers, and 2 bronze medals. That list includes an individual gold in the 200 free and an individual silver in the 400 free in London in 2012.
She’s also a 4-time World Champion (1 inn long course, 3 in short course); 2-time Pan Pacific Champion; and 3-time Pan American Games champion. She was also a 4-time NCAA Champion at the University of Georgia and in the 2012-2013 season received the Honda Sports Award for swimming & diving – as the top female college swimmer in the country. She also won the 2012 Swammy Award as the Female Swimmer of the Year: the first person to win that award.
Before all of that international success, however, Schmitt swam for the An Arbor Swim Club, Club Wolverine, and Canton High School in eastern Michigan. She was a 4-time high school state champion, winning back-to-back titles in the 200 and 500 yard freestyles in 2006 and 2007, respectively. She still holds the State Record in the 200 free (1:46.25) and 3 of the top 7 times in state meet history; and until 2017 also held the State Record in the 500 free (4:47.46), which still ranks 4th all-time.
Michigan Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2019
- Grant Hill – 5-time NBA All-Star with the Detroit Pistons
- Vladimir Konstantinov – 1997 Stanley Cup Champion defenseman with the Detroit Red Wings
- Diane Dietz – Multi-sport star at Farmington High; ;set women’s basketball scoring record at the University of Michigan
- Morris Peterson – leading scorer on the Michigan State 2000 NCAA men’s basketball National Championship team
- Allison Schmitt – 8-time Olympic medalist swimmer
- Charles Woodson – 1997 Heisman Trophy winner at the University of Michigan
- Dan Fife – In 36 years as head boys’ basketball coach at Clarkston High, he finished with more than 700 wins: 3rd most in Michigan high school history
- Harry Atkins – 21-year Michigan sports editor at the Associated Press
- Mike O’Hara – Detroit News sports writer from 1966 to 2008, including 31 years as Detroit Lions beat writer
- Tom Wilson – Long-time executive with both Detroit Pistons and Detroit Red Wings; led creation of Palace of Auburn Hills
Congratulations to Allison Schmitt and I wish her the healthy staying in competitive sport for many years ahead. The perseverance of three times Olympian is remarkable especially in the light of recent retirements of two 23 and 22 years old former Olympic Champions.
The following is really long. Skip it if you are not in the mood for long discussion
The story of Allison Schmitt is a classic example of media unfairness and bias, fueled by human prejudice. This swimmer was the major contributor in all Missy Franklin’s Olympic gold medal relays. Moreover, in contrast to Missy she swam all of them in finals. As Missy Franklin she had two individual Olympic medals. The silver one was won in the fastest ever textile suite race in 400FR against Camille Muffat’s life best performance. With that she broke the 20 years old American record in textile suit from legendary Janet Evans and 4 years old high-tech record of Katie Hoff. Her 200FR… Read more »
She’s a legend
Schmitty is the best!
Very well deserved honor!