Rhyan Elizabeth White (born January 25, 2000) is an American swimmer.[2] She won a silver medal in the 4x100-meter medley relay at the 2020 Summer Olympics for her contribution in the prelims of the event and placed fourth in both the 100-meter backstroke and the 200-meter backstroke.[3] At the 2020 Olympics, White also became the first Utah-born swimmer to compete in an Olympic Games.[4][5] At the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics, she was the only swimmer representing the United States to win a medal.[6] She won her first world title in the 200-meter backstroke at the 2021 World Short Course Championships.[7]

Rhyan White
Personal information
Full nameRhyan Elizabeth White
Nationality United States
Born (2000-01-25) January 25, 2000 (age 24)
Herriman, Utah, United States[1]
Height5 ft 6 in (168 cm)
Sport
SportSwimming
StrokesBackstroke, butterfly, individual medley
College teamUniversity of Alabama
Medal record
Women's swimming
Representing the  United States
Olympic Games
Silver medal – second place 2020 Tokyo 4×100 m medley
World Championships (LC)
Gold medal – first place 2022 Budapest 4×100 m medley
Bronze medal – third place 2022 Budapest 200 m backstroke
World Championships (SC)
Gold medal – first place 2021 Abu Dhabi 200 m backstroke
Silver medal – second place 2021 Abu Dhabi 4×50 m medley
Youth Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place 2018 Buenos Aires 100 m backstroke

Early life and education

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White was born and raised in Herriman, Utah.[1] While attending Cottonwood High School in Murray, Utah, she swam for her high school swim team, winning UHSAA state swimming championships titles in the 100-yard butterfly, 100-yard backstroke, and 200-yard individual medley.[8] She graduated from Academy for Math, Engineering, and Science, which is physically contained within Cottonwood High School.[2][5]

White committed to competing collegiately for the University of Alabama in 2017 and started swimming for the school in the autumn of 2018.[8] She currently attends and swims for the University of Alabama, where she is majoring in psychology.[2]

Swimming career

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2016 US Olympic Trials

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At the 2016 US Olympic Trials in swimming, White competed in two events. She finished in 18th place overall in the 200-meter backstroke with a time of 2:12.36, and 61st overall with a time of 1:02.82 in the 100-meter backstroke.[9]

2018 Summer Youth Olympics

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White was the only American swimmer to win a medal of any type, gold, silver, or bronze, at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires, Argentina, winning the bronze medal in the 100-meter backstroke with a time of 1:00.60.[6] With the one bronze medal White won, the United States tied with Egypt, Spain, and South Korea for 30th-place in the medal table for swimming at the 2018 Youth Olympics.[10]

2020 US Olympic Trials

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In June 2021 at the US Olympic Trials in Omaha, Nebraska, White became the first woman from the University of Alabama to win any event at a US Olympic trials in swimming when she won the 200-meter backstroke.[11] White qualified for the 2020 US Olympic swim team with her first place finish in the 200-meter backstroke, with a time of 2:05.73, and her second place finish in the 100-meter backstroke with a time of 58.60.[12][13][14]

2020 Summer Olympics

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2020 Summer Olympics
  4x100 m medley relay 3:51.73

The 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan were the first Olympic Games White made the US Olympic team.[15] She became the third female athlete from the University of Alabama to make the US Olympic team in any sport, and the first female swimmer from the school.[16]

White was the first swimmer from Utah to compete in an Olympic Games.[4][5] Her first race at an Olympic Games was in the prelims of the 100-meter backstroke where she swam a 59.02, ranked sixth overall, and advanced to the semifinals.[17] She advanced to the final from the semifinals where she swam a 58.46 and ranked fourth.[18] In the final, White swam a 58.43 and finished in fourth place less than half a second after the third place finisher and bronze medalist, American Regan Smith.[19][20]

On day six of competition, White tied for second overall in the prelims heats of the 200-meter backstroke with a time of 2:08.23 and advanced to the semifinals.[21][22] In the semifinals on day seven, White swam the third fastest time for both semifinal heats with a time of 2:07.28 and qualified for the final of the 200 meter backstroke the following day.[23][24][25] Later in the day, White swam the backstroke leg of the 4x100-meter medley relay, contributing to the relay ranking second for all prelims heats and qualifying for the final.[26]

In the morning on day eight, White placed fourth in the final of the 200-meter backstroke with her time of 2:06.39.[3][27][28]

On the ninth and final day, the finals relay of the 4x100-meter medley relay finished second and White won a silver medal for her swim as part of the prelims relay in the event.[3][29]

2021 World Short Course Championships

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2021 World Championships
  200 m backstroke 2:01.58
  4×50 m medley 1:43.61

White entered to compete in three individual events, the 50-meter, 100-meter, and 200-meter backstroke, at the 2021 World Short Course Championships in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates in December.[30] In the prelims heats of the 100-meter backstroke on day one, White advanced to the semifinals with a time of 56.76 seconds, which ranked her fifth overall.[31][32] She tied Kira Toussaint of the Netherlands for second-rank in the semifinals with a time of 56.05 seconds and qualified for the final.[33] On the second day of competition, White helped win a silver medal in the 4×50-meter medley relay with finals relay teammates Lydia Jacoby, Claire Curzan, and Abbey Weitzeil, contributing a 26.33 backstroke split to the final time of 1:43.61.[34][35] Later in the same session, White placed fifth in the final of the 100-meter backstroke with a 55.87.[36] The following morning, White swam a 2:04.08 in the prelims heats of the 200-meter backstroke and qualified for the final ranking second overall.[37] In the evening, White won the gold medal in the 200-meter backstroke with a 2:01.58.[38][39] White's win was her first world title and the first individual gold medal won by a swimmer from the University of Alabama swim program at a World Championships.[7] Day four, White decided not to swim the 50-meter backstroke.[40] She officially withdrew from competition alongside teammates MIchael Andrew and Michael Brinegar the same day.[41]

2022 Collegiate championships

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2022 Southeastern Conference Championships

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Day one of the 2022 Southeastern Conference Championships in February 2022, White helped win the 4×50 yard medley relay for the Alabama Crimson Tide in a time of 1:33.94 by splitting a 23.65 on the backstroke leg of the relay.[42][43] The relay's time of 1:33.94 set a new Southeastern Conference record.[42][44] The third day, she qualified for the final of the 100 yard butterfly with a rank of fourth and time of 51.76 in the prelims heats.[45] She placed second in the final with a 51.19, finishing 0.85 seconds after first-place finisher Ellen Walshe.[46] The next day, White advanced to the final of the 100 yard backstroke with a time of 51.08 seconds in the prelims heats.[47] In the final, she set a new pool record with her first-place time of 50.18 seconds.[48][49] Later in the session, she split a 50.44 on the backstroke leg of the 4×100 yard medley relay to help win in a time of 3:26.64.[48] On the fifth and final day, she ranked first in the prelims heats of the 200 yard backstroke with a 1:51.57.[50] She lowered her time to a 1:50.22 in the final to win the event by over half a second.[51]

2022 NCAA Championships

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Starting off on the first day of the 2022 NCAA Championships, March 16, White swam a 23.35 for the backstroke portion of the 4×50 yard medley relay to help achieve a fourth-place finish in 1:33.29.[52] On the third day of competition, she qualified for the final of the 100 yard backstroke ranking fourth with a time of 50.65 seconds after qualifying for the b-final of the 100 yard butterfly with a time of 51.27 seconds that ranked her tenth overall.[53] Racing the events in the evening finals session, she placed second with a 50.85 in the b-final of the 100 yard butterfly and fourth in the 100 yard backstroke in 50.34 seconds.[54] In her third final of the day, White contributed to a sixth-place finish in the 4×100 yard medley relay, swimming the backstroke portion of the relay in 50.89 seconds.[55] The final day of competition, she qualified for the final of the 200 yard backstroke with a time of 1:50.36 in the prelims heats.[56] For the final, she swam a 1:49.36 and placed third.[57]

Physique

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White's coach from when she competed at Cottonwood High School partially attributed White's speed to her ability to naturally hyperextend her knees in such a way that provided heightened mobility.[5]

Awards and honors

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  • Southeastern Conference (SEC), Female Swimmer of the Year: 2020—2021[58]
  • Southeastern Conference (SEC), Commissioner's Trophy: 2020—2021[58]
  • SwimSwam, Top 100 (Women's): 2022 (#36)[59]
  • Southeastern Conference (SEC), Female Swimmer of the Week: January 18, 2022[60]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Rhyan White - Bio". SwimSwam. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c "RHYAN WHITE". Alabama Crimson Tide. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c "Rhyan White Caps Alabama's Week in the Pool at the Tokyo Games with a Silver Medal". Alabama Crimson Tide. August 1, 2021. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Miller, Ryan (July 18, 2021). "How Ryan White's Olympic run could help elevate swimming in Utah". KSL.com. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  5. ^ a b c d Jag, Julie (July 29, 2021). "Rhyan White is Utah's first Olympic swimmer. Will she be the last?". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
  6. ^ a b Omega Timing; Atos (October 12, 2018). "Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games: Official Results Book Swimming". International Olympic Committee. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  7. ^ a b "Alabama's Rhyan White is the 2021 World Champion in the 200m Backstroke". Alabama Crimson Tide. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  8. ^ a b Lepesant, Anne (October 7, 2017). "National Junior Teamer Ryan White Commits to Alabama". SwimSwam. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  9. ^ "2016 Olympic Trials Results". USA Swimming. July 3, 2016. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  10. ^ "Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018: Medal Table - Swimming". FINA. October 18, 2018. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  11. ^ Walsh, Christopher (June 19, 2021). "Ryan White the First Crimson Tide Woman to Win Event at U.S. Swimming Olympic Team Trials". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  12. ^ "2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Wave II: Women's 100m Backstroke Final Results". Omega Timing. June 15, 2021.
  13. ^ "2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Wave II: Women's 200m Backstroke Final Results". Omega Timing. June 19, 2021.
  14. ^ Ross, Andy (June 19, 2021). "Rhyan White, Phoebe Bacon Follow in Footsteps of Idols to Make Olympic Team in 200 Backstroke". Swimming World. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  15. ^ Giordano, Katie (June 23, 2021). "Meet the U.S. Olympic Swimming Team for Tokyo". NBC Olympics. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  16. ^ "University of Alabama swimmer secured spot on U.S. Olympic team". WVTM 13. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  17. ^ Sutherland, James (July 25, 2021). "Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Day 2 Prelims Live Recap". SwimSwam. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  18. ^ Sutherland, James (July 25, 2021). "Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Day 2 Finals Live Recap". SwimSwam. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  19. ^ "Alabama Swimming’s Rhyan White Takes Fourth in the 100-meter Backstroke at the Tokyo Olympics". Alabama Crimson Tide. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  20. ^ "Utah Olympians: Rhyan White just misses podium with 4th place finish in 100m back". KSL.com. July 26, 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  21. ^ Anderson, Jared (July 29, 2021). "Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Day 6 Prelims Live Recap". SwimSwam. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
  22. ^ "Rhyan White Wins Heat To Advance To 200 Meter Backstroke Semifinals". KSL Sports. July 29, 2021. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
  23. ^ Coles, Joe (July 29, 2021). "Olympic roundup: Utah native Rhyan White finishes third overall to advance to women's 200-meter backstroke finals". Deseret News. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
  24. ^ Newberry, Paul (July 29, 2021). "Rhyan White Finished Third In Women's 200m Backstroke Semifinal". KSL Sports. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
  25. ^ Juarez, Ruben (July 30, 2021). "West Michigan roots for Olympians Alex Rose and Rhyan White". WOOD-TV. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  26. ^ Anderson, Jared (July 30, 2021). "Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Day 7 Prelims Live Recap". SwimSwam. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  27. ^ Sutherland, James (July 30, 2021). "Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Day 7 Finals Live Recap". SwimSwam. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
  28. ^ "Utah Olympians: Rhyan White comes up just short of a medal again with 4th-place finish in 200 back". KSL.com. July 30, 2021. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
  29. ^ Jag, Julie (July 31, 2021). "Rhyan White wins Olympic medal with USA Swimming's women's 4x100 medley relay". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
  30. ^ "2021 FINA Short Course World Championships Roster". USA Swimming. 28 October 2021. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  31. ^ FINA (December 16, 2021). "15th FINA World Swimming Championships 2021 Abu Dhabi (UAE): Women's 100m Backstroke Heats Results Summary". Omega Timing. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  32. ^ Penland, Spencer (December 15, 2021). "2021 SC World Championships: Day 1 Heats Live Recap". SwimSwam. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  33. ^ FINA (December 16, 2021). "15th FINA World Swimming Championships 2021 Abu Dhabi (UAE): Women's 100m Backstroke Semifinals Results Summary". Omega Timing. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  34. ^ FINA (December 17, 2021). "15th FINA World Swimming Championships 2021 Abu Dhabi (UAE): Women's 4x50m Medley Relay Final Results". Omega Timing. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  35. ^ Moss, Bonnie (December 17, 2021). "Casas' Gold Leads Way for U.S. on FINA World Championships (25m) Night Two". USA Swimming. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  36. ^ FINA (17 December 2021). "15th FINA World Swimming Championships 2021 Abu Dhabi (UAE): Women's 100m Backstroke Final Results". Omega Timing. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  37. ^ FINA (December 18, 2021). "15th FINA World Swimming Championships 2021 Abu Dhabi (UAE): Women's 200m Backstroke Heats Results Summary". Omega Timing. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  38. ^ FINA (December 18, 2021). "15th FINA World Swimming Championships 2021 Abu Dhabi (UAE): Women's 200m Backstroke Final Results". Omega Timing. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  39. ^ OlympicTalk (December 18, 2021). "U.S. swimmers grab more golds at short course worlds; Olympics out due to COVID". NBC Sports. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  40. ^ FINA (19 December 2021). "15th FINA World Swimming Championships 2021 Abu Dhabi (UAE): Women's 50m Backstroke Heats Results Summary". Omega Timing. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  41. ^ Keith, Braden (December 19, 2021). "Michael Andrew, Michael Brinegar, Rhyan White Withdraw From SC Worlds". SwimSwam. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  42. ^ a b De George, Matthew (February 15, 2022). "2022 SEC Championships: Alabama Women, Florida Men Set Relay Marks". Swimming World. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  43. ^ Dornan, Ben (February 15, 2022). "2022 SEC Championships: Day 1 Finals Live Recap". SwimSwam. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  44. ^ Edmund, Emma (February 15, 2022). "Alabama Women Break SEC 200 Medley Relay Record With 1:33.94". SwimSwam. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  45. ^ Hamann, Michael (February 17, 2022). "2022 SEC Championships: Day 3 Prelims Live Recap". SwimSwam. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
  46. ^ De George, Matthew (February 17, 2022). "2022 SEC Championships, Day 3 Finals: Ellen Walshe Does 400 IM/100 Fly Double". Swimming World. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
  47. ^ Hamann, Michael (February 18, 2022). "2022 SEC Championships: Day 4 Prelim Live Recap". SwimSwam. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  48. ^ a b Dornan, Ben (February 18, 2022). "2022 SEC Championships: Day 4 Finals Live Recap". SwimSwam. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  49. ^ De George, Matthew (February 18, 2022). "2022 SEC Championships, Day 4 Finals: Riley Gaines Nips Into 200 Fly win". Swimming World. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  50. ^ Sutherland, James (February 19, 2022). "2022 SEC Championships: Day 5 Prelims Live Recap". SwimSwam. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  51. ^ Hy-Tek (February 19, 2022). "2022 SEC Swimming & Diving Championships: Meet Results". sidearmstats.com. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  52. ^ D'Addona, Dan (March 16, 2022). "2022 NCAA Women's Division I Championships: Virginia Claims 200 Medley Relay in Meet Record". Swimming World. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  53. ^ Lepesant, Anne (March 18, 2022). "2022 NCAA Division I Women's Championships: Day 3 Prelims Live Recap". SwimSwam. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  54. ^ Lepesant, Anne (March 18, 2022). "2022 NCAA Division I Women's Championships: Day 3 Finals Live Recap". SwimSwam. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  55. ^ Hy-Tek (March 18, 2022). "2022 NCAA DI Women's Swimming & Diving". swimmeetresults.tech. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  56. ^ Lepesant, Anne (March 19, 2022). "2022 NCAA Division I Women's Championships: Day 4 Prelims Live Recap". SwimSwam. Retrieved March 19, 2022.
  57. ^ Lepesant, Anne (March 19, 2022). "2022 NCAA Division I Women's Championships: Day 4 Finals Live Recap". SwimSwam. Retrieved March 19, 2022.
  58. ^ a b "2021 SEC Swimming & Diving Awards Announced". Southeastern Conference. April 15, 2021. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  59. ^ Sutherland, James (January 13, 2022). "SwimSwam's Top 100 For 2022: Women's #40-31". SwimSwam. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  60. ^ "Week 9: Swimming & Diving Athletes of the Week". Southeastern Conference. January 18, 2022. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
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