Michelle Engelsman

Michelle Engelsman (born 9 December 1979) is an Australian former competition swimmer who specialised in sprint freestyle events.[1] She was a silver medalist in the 50-metre freestyle at the 2003 Summer Universiade, and also, a sixth-place finalist in the same event at the 2004 Summer Olympics.

Michelle Engelsman
Personal information
Full nameMichelle Engelsman
National team Australia
Born (1979-12-09) 9 December 1979
Río Cuarto, Argentina
Height1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
Weight73 kg (161 lb)
Sport
SportSwimming
StrokesFreestyle
College teamKenyon College
University of Arizona

Personal life and early career

Born in Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina, Engelsman moved back to Australia with her family at the very age, before they decided to settle in upstate New York, when she was 7 years old. Growing up, she moved around the world, and had been inculcated in diversity and cultural backgrounds. After living in New York for five years, Engelsman spent her senior year in high school studying at the America International of Zürich in Switzerland. She started her swimming career upon her admission at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, and eventually won the title in the 50-metre freestyle at the 1998 NCAA Division III state swimming championships.[2]

In May 1999, Engelsman left Kenyon College to pursue her dream of making the Australian Olympic team. Upon her untimely return to Australia, she continued her studies at the University of Queensland, and trained with Scott Volkers and Stephen Widman for her rigorous preparation at the 2000 Summer Olympics. Sadly, Engelsman failed to qualify for the team, as she placed fifth in the Olympic trials. Following her major upset, Engelsman returned for the second time to the United States, where she completed an undergraduate degree at the University of Arizona, and captured another success from the NCAA Division I championships.

International career

In 2002, Engelsman enrolled in an honours' degree in chemistry at the University of Sydney, and trained under Brian Sutton and Steve Alderman. Engelsman first appeared on the international scene at the 2003 Summer Universiade in Daegu, South Korea, where she won the silver medal in the 50-metre freestyle by more than three tenths of a second (0.30) behind Ukraine's Olga Mukomol, with a time of 25.89 seconds.[3] Following her success in the Universiade, Engelsman became an official pioneer and member of The Race Club in Islamorada, Florida (founded by former Olympic medalist Gary Hall Sr.), where she spent numerous months of full preparation leading into the Australian Olympic trials.[4]

At the Olympic trials, Engelsman challenged Lisbeth Lenton to set the world's third fastest qualified entry time of 24.80 seconds, and secure a second-place finish in the 50-metre freestyle final.[5][6] Having attained an A-standard, Engelsman earned a spot on the Australian team for the Olympics.[7]

Engelsman represented her parental nation Australia, as a first-time Olympian, at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, where she competed in the women's 50-metre freestyle, along with Lenton. In the final round of the competition, Engelsman barely out touched U.S. swimmer, four-time Olympian, and twelve-time medalist Jenny Thompson for a sixth-place finish by five hundredths of a second (0.05), with a time of 25.06 seconds.[8][9]

Since 2004, Engelsman had competed at the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships, and at the FINA World Cup series, but finished outside the medals. She also helped out her Australian team to reach the final, and capture the silver medal in the freestyle relay at the 2006 FINA World Short Course Championships in Shanghai, China. Following her retirement from professional swimming in 2008, Engelsman was honoured for her "Speedo Services to the Australian Swimming Team" at the Telstra Swimmer of the Year Awards in Sydney.[10]

References
  1. Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Michelle Engelsman". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2013.
  2. "Kenyon extends new women's swim streak to three". NCAA. 23 March 2009. Retrieved 19 March 2013.
  3. Jeffrey, Josh (31 August 2003). "Klochkova Leads Ukraine to Team Crown at World University Games, USA Is Second". Swimming World Magazine. Archived from the original on 11 April 2013. Retrieved 19 March 2013.
  4. "Eight Olympians Highlight First Members of "Race Club"". Swimming World Magazine. 4 November 2003. Archived from the original on 11 April 2013. Retrieved 19 March 2013.
  5. "Hackett retains 1500m crown". ABC News Australia. 3 April 2004. Retrieved 19 March 2013.
  6. Thomas, Stephen (3 April 2004). "Final Night, Australian Olympic Trials: Lenton Breaks National 50 Free Aussie Record – 24.70, Welsh Lowers 100 Backstroke Commonwealth Record, Hackett Takes His Eighth Consecutive 1500 in 14:55.45". Swimming World Magazine. Archived from the original on 11 April 2013. Retrieved 19 March 2013.
  7. Thomas, Stephen (3 April 2004). "Forty-two Member Australian Olympic Swimming Team Announced". Swimming World Magazine. Archived from the original on 11 April 2013. Retrieved 19 March 2013.
  8. "Women's 50m Freestyle Final". Athens 2004. BBC Sport. 21 August 2004. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  9. Whitten, Phillip (21 August 2004). "Inky Overpowers the Field, Repeats as 50 Free Champion". Swimming World Magazine. Archived from the original on 11 April 2013. Retrieved 19 March 2013.
  10. "Stephanie Rice Wins Australian Swimmer of the Year Award; Grand Hackett Announces Retirement". Swimming World Magazine. 27 October 2008. Archived from the original on 9 May 2013. Retrieved 19 March 2013.
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