Maritza Correia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Maritza Correia

Correia in April 2016
Personal information
Nickname(s)	"Ritz"
Born	(1981-12-23) December 23, 1981 (age 43) San Juan, Puerto Rico
Height	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight	134 lb (61 kg)
Sport
Sport	Swimming
Strokes	Freestyle
Club	Brandon Blue Wave
College team	University of Georgia
Medal record Women's swimming Representing the United States Olympic Games Silver 2004 Athens 4x100 m freestyle World Championships (LC) Gold 2003 Barcelona 4×100 m freestyle Silver 2001 Fukuoka 4×100 m freestyle World Championships (SC) Silver 2006 Shanghai 4x100 m medley Bronze 2006 Shanghai 100 m freestyle Pan American Games Gold 2007 Rio 4x100 m freestyle Gold 2007 Rio 4x100 m medley Summer Universiade Gold 2005 Izmir 50 m freestyle Gold 2005 Izmir 4x100 m freestyle Gold 2005 Izmir 4x100 m medley

Maritza Correia (born December 23, 1981), also known by her married name Maritza McClendon, is a famous former Olympic swimmer. She was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Maritza swam for the United States team.

In 2004, she made history. She became the first swimmer of African descent from Puerto Rico to join the U.S. Olympic swimming team. She was also the first African-American woman to win an Olympic medal in swimming for the United States. Maritza was also the first black American swimmer to set an American and world swimming record.

Early Life and Swimming Journey

Maritza Correia was born and grew up in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Her parents, Vincent and Anne, moved there from Guyana.

Starting to Swim

In 1988, when Maritza was seven years old, doctors found out she had severe scoliosis. This is a condition where the spine curves. Her doctor suggested that she take swimming classes. Swimming was a good way to help treat her condition.

In 1990, her family moved to Tampa, Florida.

High School and Early Success

Maritza went to Tampa Bay Technical High School. She joined the school's swimming team. In 1999, she became the U.S. national champion in the 50-meter freestyle for swimmers aged 18 and under. She also won six Florida high school state championships in different events.

Maritza was part of the USA national junior team in 1997. They competed in Sweden. In 1999, she was on the USA Short Course World Championships team that competed in Hong Kong.

College Swimming Career

In 1999, Maritza joined the University of Georgia Lady Bulldogs swimming and diving team. She helped her team win a title in the 400-meter freestyle relay. She also earned a special award called the SEC Commissioner's Trophy. This award is for athletes who score the most points.

Maritza was the first swimmer in Southeastern Conference history to win a title in all freestyle events. During her time in college, she was named an All-American 27 times. She also won 11 NCAA championships.

Major Competitions and Olympic Dreams

2000 Olympic Trials

Maritza hoped to swim at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. She competed in the Olympic trials. However, she did not make the team that year.

World Championships and Records

In 2001, Maritza won a silver medal in the 4x100 meter freestyle relay at the World Championships in Japan.

In 2002, Maritza became a national champion. She won both the 50-yard and 100-yard freestyle races. She was also part of two winning relay teams at the NCAA Championships in Austin, Texas. She set new records for the NCAA, America, and the U.S. Open in the 50-yard freestyle. Her time was 21.69 seconds.

In July 2003, Maritza won a gold medal. She swam in a preliminary race for the 4 × 100-meter freestyle relay. This was at the 2003 World Aquatics Championships in Barcelona, Spain.

2004 Athens Olympics

Maritza earned an Olympic silver medal in August 2004. She swam in the preliminary races for the 4 × 100-meter freestyle relay at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. This made her the first African-American female swimmer to win an Olympic medal for the United States.

More Championships

In October 2004, she won a gold medal at the Short Course World Championships in Indianapolis. She swam in the preliminary races for the 4 × 100-meter freestyle relay.

In 2005, Maritza won three gold medals at the 2005 Summer Universiade in Izmir, Turkey.

Life After Swimming

Maritza graduated from the University of Georgia in 2005. She studied sociology.

In March 2010, Maritza married Chad McClendon. They have two children. Their son, Kason, was born on January 1, 2012. Their daughter, Sanaya Anne, was born on September 25, 2013. Maritza McClendon is a member of the Sigma Gamma Rho sorority.

Career Highlights

• 2004 Olympic silver medalist: 4 × 100 freestyle relay
• First African American female to make the U.S. Olympic swim team
• 2000 NCAA champion: 200-meter freestyle, 400-meter freestyle relay, 400-meter medley relay
• 2001 NCAA champion: 800-yard freestyle relay
• 2002 NCAA champion: 50-yard freestyle, 100-yard freestyle, 200-yard freestyle relay, 400-yard freestyle relay
• 2003 NCAA champion: 50-yard freestyle, 100-yard freestyle
• 2000-2003: 27-time All-American
• World record-holder in the 400-yard medley relay SCM at 2000 NCAA Championships
• American, NCAA, U.S. Open record holder: 50-yard freestyle (21.69) in 2002
• American, NCAA, U.S. Open record Holder: 200-yard freestyle relay (1:28.74) in 2002
• American, NCAA, U.S. Open record holder: 400-yard freestyle relay (3:13.71) in 2002
• 2001, 2003 two-time world champion in 4 × 100 m freestyle relay
• 2005 World University Games gold medalist: 50-meter freestyle, 4 × 100-meter freestyle relay, 4 × 100-meter medley relay
• 2006 World Championships silver medalist: 4x100 m medley
• 2007 Pan American Games champion: 4 × 100-meter freestyle relay, 4 × 100-meter medley relay

See also

In Spanish: Maritza Correia para niños

• List of Puerto Ricans
• List of Guyanese Americans
• List of Olympic medalists in swimming (women)
• List of University of Georgia people
• List of World Aquatics Championships medalists in swimming (women)