David Curtiss (swimmer) facts for kids
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| Born | July 4, 2002 Yardley, Pennsylvania, United States |
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| Website | https://www.davidcurtiss.org | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Sport | Swimming | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Strokes | Freestyle | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Club | Hamilton Y (former) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| College team | North Carolina State University (Former) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coach | Sue Welsh (former) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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David Avery Curtiss (born July 4, 2002) is an American former professional swimmer. He is known for his incredible speed in freestyle events. Curtiss holds a US Open record in a relay race called the 4×50-yard medley relay.
As a teenager, he won a silver medal at the 2019 World Junior Championships. In 2021, he became famous for setting a new American high school record in the 50-yard freestyle. He also won a bronze medal at the 2022 World Short Course Championships as part of a relay team. While in college, he became an NCAA champion in 2023.
Early Life and School
David Curtiss was born on the Fourth of July in 2002 in Yardley, Pennsylvania. He started swimming for the Hamilton Y Aquatic Club in Hamilton, New Jersey. His coach was Sue Welsh.
For high school, he went to The Pennington School in Pennington, New Jersey. He was a star on the school's swim team. After high school, he began swimming for North Carolina State University in 2021. In college, he decided to study criminology and psychology.
Swimming Career
A Young Star
Even at age 11, Curtiss was already making waves. The swimming news website SwimSwam called him a "Weekly Wonder of Age Group Swimming." He was recognized for his super-fast time in the 50-yard freestyle. He earned this honor again in 2015 and 2016 for his amazing swims.
By 2018, when he was in the 15–16 age group, his speed in the 50-yard freestyle was one of the fastest in US history for his age. He was even faster than famous swimmer Caeleb Dressel was at that age.
High School Sensation
While swimming for his high school, Curtiss did something amazing. In February 2020, he broke a national record for private high schools set by Olympian Ryan Murphy.
But he wasn't done yet. In March 2021, he broke his own record. Just three days later, he swam the 50-yard freestyle in just 19.11 seconds. This made him the fastest high school swimmer in American history, for both public and private schools.
World Junior Championships
In 2019, Curtiss competed for the United States at the World Junior Championships in Budapest, Hungary. He swam the 50-meter freestyle in an incredible 21.95 seconds in the semifinals. This made him the third-fastest American ever in the 17–18 age group for that event. In the final, he won the silver medal with a time of 22.14 seconds.
College and National Team
Curtiss joined the swim team at North Carolina State University, known as the NC State Wolfpack. His fast swimming earned him a spot on the US National Team for multiple years.
At the 2022 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Championships, he swam a personal best time of 18.74 seconds to win the 50-yard freestyle. The next year, at the 2023 ACC Championships, he helped his relay teams win three conference titles.
His biggest college achievement came at the 2023 NCAA Championships. He and his teammates won the 4×50-yard medley relay. They set a new US Open, NCAA, and Championship record with a time of 1:20.67.
International Competitions
Curtiss represented Team USA at the 2022 World Short Course Championships in Melbourne, Australia. He won a bronze medal for being part of the 4×100-meter freestyle relay team. He also competed in other relay events and the 50-meter freestyle.
In 2023, he won a gold medal in the 50-meter freestyle at the Pan American Games in Santiago.
Leaving NC State
In September 2023, Curtiss announced he was leaving the NC State swimming and diving team. He shared a message on social media thanking his coaches and teammates.
He wrote, "NC State has provided me with many positive things, life altering tools that have changed me for the better... I will bring the wisdom and pride of the Wolfpack with me everyday."
Personal Life
Role Models and Sponsorships
Curtiss has said that he is inspired by Cullen Jones, another African-American freestyle swimmer who won an Olympic gold medal.
In 2021, the rules for college athletes changed, allowing them to earn money from their name and image. Curtiss partnered with the swimwear company Speedo. He said he wants to prove that swimming is a sport for everyone, no matter their background.
Personal Best Times
Long Course Meters (50 m pool)
| Event | Time | Meet | Location | Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 m freestyle | 21.76 | h | 2022 TYR Pro Swim Series – Mission Viejo | Mission Viejo, California | June 4, 2022 |
| 100 m freestyle | 50.57 | h | 2022 TYR Pro Swim Series – San Antonio | San Antonio, Texas | April 2, 2022 |
Legend: h — preliminary heat
Short Course Meters (25 m pool)
| Event | Time | Meet | Location | Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 m freestyle | 21.16 | r | 2022 World Short Course Championships | Melbourne, Australia | December 15, 2022 |
| 100 m freestyle | 48.07 | h, r | 2022 World Short Course Championships | Melbourne, Australia | December 13, 2022 |
Legend: h — preliminary heat; r — relay first leg
Short Course Yards (25 yd pool)
| Event | Time | Meet | Location | Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 yd freestyle | 18.74 | 2022 Atlantic Coast Conference Championships | Atlanta, Georgia | February 16, 2022 | |
| 100 yd freestyle | 42.44 | 2023 Atlantic Coast Conference Championships | Greensboro, North Carolina | February 18, 2023 |
Legend: h — preliminary heat
See also
In Spanish: David Curtiss para niños
- List of people from Pennsylvania
- New Jersey Swimming
