Kristy Kowal
Kristy Kowal started her career at the age of just 16 years old. She attended three consecutive Olympic Games from 1996 to 2004, taking home “just” a single silver medal in the 200-meter breaststroke in 2000. After her third and final appearance on the international stage, Kristy left the sport for good.
The Pennsylvania Swimming HOF inducted Kristy in 2009, and the National Polish-American Sports HOF would do the same one year after. After retiring, Kristy graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in educational science. Today, she works as an elementary school teacher but not as a swimming instructor.