Shannon Vreeland Retires, Starting Vanderbilt Law School in the Fall

2016 U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM TRIALS

Olympic gold medalist Shannon Vreeland of the Athens Bulldogs and the University of Georgia has hung up her goggles after swimming her last race Thursday night.

In the fall, Vreeland will be attending Vanderbilt Law School in Nashville, Tennessee. She graduated from Georgia in 2014 with degrees in international affairs and economics.

“The plan was always to retire after this summer, retirement just came a little sooner than I’d hoped,” she told SwimSwam earlier today. “If I’m going to do something, I want to give it 100%, and even though I still love swimming and probably won’t stay out of the water for too long, I’m starting law school at Vanderbilt in August and that’ll be the area I’ll be directing all my focus now. I’m disappointed in my meet, but I’m happy with my career and so proud of all of the UGA swimmers who will be representing in Rio!”

At the London 2012 Olympic Games, Vreeland was a member of the gold medal Olympic record-setting relay team in the women’s 800 free relay, swimming alongside Missy Franklin, Dana Vollmerand Allison SchmittShe was also a member of three NCAA national champion relay teams in the 800 free relay and one national champion 400 free relay. The Bulldogs won NCAA team titles two of her four years.

Vreeland made it through to semifinals of the 100 and 200 free this week.

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Lorei Rowe
8 years ago

Congratulations on a wonderful career. It has been a joy watching you compete over the past 16 years…..from the KC Blazers to the Olympic Gold….what a dream come true for you! Good luck in law school!
Lorei Rowe

ALEXANDER POP-OFF
8 years ago

And also a part of the American Record and gold medal-winning 4×100 free relay at the 2013 World Champs! Kudos.

Danjohnrob
8 years ago

Shannon, Thanks for representing USA to the best of your ability! I hope your future is filled with love, laughter and happiness!

Pianoback
Reply to  Danjohnrob
8 years ago

1000% agreed. Thanks and nothing but the best in your future.

swimdoc
Reply to  Danjohnrob
8 years ago

And beaucoup legal fees.

About Hannah Hecht

Hannah Hecht

Hannah Hecht grew up in Kansas and spent most of her childhood trying to convince coaches to let her swim backstroke in freestyle sets. She took her passion to Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa and swam at NAIA Nationals all four years. After graduating in 2015, she moved to …

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