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Piper, Carly

The Short List
  • 2004 Olympic gold medalist in the 800m freestyle relay (set a world record)
  • Named the 2004 USA Swimming Relay Performance of the Year for her performance in the 800m freestyle relay at the 2004 Olympics
  • 2003 Pan American Games champion in the 800m freestyle relay
Did You Know?
  • Won her first U.S. National title when she finished first in the 400m freestyle at the 2005 World Championship Trials
  • Competed in the 2004 Short Course World Championships
  • Finished fourth in the 500y and 1650y freestyle at the 2005 NCAA Championships
  • Was sixth in the 400y freestyle and seventh in the 200y freestyle at 2004 NCAA Championships
  • Took fourth in the 500y freestyle and sixth in the mile at 2003 NCAAs
  • Named Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2002
  • Hopes to become a veterinarian and has a dog named Bailey
  • Nickname: Pipes and Carlita Sanchez because "my uncle always called me Carlita," said Piper. ""When I came to school, my coaches randomly started calling me it also, and it stuck. The Sanchez part was added because Carlita sounds Spanish."
  • Enjoys cooking, making jewelry, listening to music, being outside, watching hockey or basketball (Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Pistons), hanging out with friends
  • Says her family is the most influential in her life because "they are there for me always no matter what happens," said Piper
It's Every Day

In 2002 Piper told The Daily Cardinal, the student paper of the University of Wisconsin where she attends school, that team support is a major part of her success. “We can all have a really good meet if we are on the same page and we are all working together. If we are all there cheering and realizing the work we're putting in is going to pay off if we keep thinking positively. I just love being around the team.”


Quote

On making the 2004 Olympic team: "This is probably the most exciting thing that's ever happened to me," Piper told The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "This exceeded my expectations. It was always a dream, but I never really thought it would become a reality. Since I've been 8 years old I've been dreaming about this. It's just amazing. Everything that I hoped would happen happened."


Height: 6-2
Born: Sept. 23, 1984
Hometown: Grosse Point, Mich.
Resides: Madison, Wis.
Sport: Swimming
Event: Freestyle

 
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