By Braden Keith on SwimSwam
U.S. National Team member and Pan American Games champion Rachel Stege has announced her retirement from competitive swimming at 21 years old.
In a post on Instagram, Stege wrote a heartfelt note to the sport:
To swimming- thank you for changing my life
I’m grateful to end my career with a full heart and unforgettable memories. This sport has given me more than I could have ever imagined- lifelong friendships, lessons, and experiences I’ll cherish forever. Thank you to my parents, coaches, and teammates for your endless support that helped me get to this point and reach my potential. I love you all!!
Officially time to rest and reminisce
View this post on InstagramA post shared by RACHEL STEGE (@rachelstege)
Stege, a native of Naperville, Illinois, finished her collegiate career at Georgia last month at the NCAA Championships. There she placed 8th in the 500 free and 35th in the 1650 free.
She finished in the A-Final in the 500 free in three straight seasons at Georgia, placing 7th in 2024 and 5th in 2023. She also picked up First Team All-America honors in the 1650 free in 2023 by placing 8th for four career honors.
She was also the 2023 SEC Champion in the 500 free. She ranks 3rd in school history in the 500 free, 4th in the 1000 free, and 5th in the 1650 free – holding a spot in the history books at one of the greatest women’s freestyle programs in the country over the last 30 years.
In long course, she earned her spot on the U.S. National Team with a 5th place finish in the 800 free and 6th place finish in the 1500 free at last year’s U.S. Olympic Team Trials. She is the Georgia Swimming LSC Record holder in both the 800 free – an 8:28.50 in 2023 – and the 1500 free – her 16:10.03 from Trials.
Stege represented the U.S. at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, where she won gold in the 1500 free and on the 800 free relay and a silver medal in the 800 free. She beat out legendary Chilean swimmer Kristel Kobrich in that 1500 free, causing a stir among Chilean sports fans.
She also was on the U.S. Junior National Team before beginning her Georgia career, winning a bronze medal in the 400 free at the 2019 World Junior Swimming Championships.
Rachel majored in finance at the University of Georgia. Her older sister Kristen, who swam collegiately at East Carolina and Tennessee, was 4th at the 2023 NCAA Championships in the 1650 free in her last elite swim meet.
Read the full story on SwimSwam: Pan American Games Champion, US National Teamer Rachel Stege Retires at 21
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Pan American Games Champion, US National Teamer Rachel Stege Retires at 21 )
Also on site :
- Dillon Brooks staring down one-game suspension after kicking opponent
- Chelsea vs Tottenham: live stream , predictions and lineups
- LAFC Shuts Out Messi and Inter Miami in CONCACAF Champions Cup First Leg