Kristen Heiss

Infobox Swimmer
swimmername = Kristen Heiss


imagesize =
caption = At 2008 Olympic Trials
fullname = Kristen Elizabeth Heiss
nicknames = KHeiss
nationality = USA
strokes = Backstroke, Freestyle
club =
collegeteam = Texas A&M University
birthdate =birth date and age|1987|05|12
birthplace =Casper, Wyoming, USA
deathdate =
deathplace =
height = height|m=1.75
weight =
medaltemplates =

Kristen Elizabeth Heiss(born May 12, 1987 in Casper, Wyoming) is an American backstroke and freestyle swimmer. She is a 3-time collegiate All-American, Big XII Conference swimmer of the year, an Olympic Trials finalist, and recently won the 200 freestyle at the 2008 U.S. Open.

Early Years

Kristen was born May 12, 1987 to Bill and Susan Heiss in Casper, Wyoming. She has one brother, Erik.

A 2005 graduate of Kelly Walsh High School, Kristen lettered four years for coach Dean Hawks. While there, the was a three-time All-American, four-time All-State, two-time Wyoming 4A Swimmer of the Meet, Academic All-American, and a member of the National Honor Society. She holds the state record in the 100 and 200 backstroke and is a three time state champion in the 200 freestyle. She swam for both the Casper Swim club and the Colorado Springs Swim team cite web|title=Aggie Athletics bio|url=http://www.aggieathletics.com/bios.php?SID=WSW&PID=7666&YOS=2008] .

Freshman Year 2005-2006

As a freshmen, Kristen was a first-team All-American and Big 12 champion in the 800 freestyle relay. She also was a Texas A&M/Verizon Athletic Scholar Award recipient. At the Big 12championships she finished 3rd in the 200 backstroke with a 1:59.05 and 5th in the 100 backstroke with a 55.41. At the NCAA championships, she was part of the 800 freestyle relay that took 6th place while also taking 26th in the 200 back (1:58.96), 31st in the 100 back (55.35), and 51st in the 500 free (4:55.70).

ophmore Year 2006-2007

As a sophomore, Kristen was Big 12 Swimmer of the Year, First Team CSCAA All-American selection, First Team Academic All-Big 12, Texas A&M/Verizon Athletic Scholar Award recipient, and Team Co-MVP. She was Big 12 Champion in both the 500 free (4:44.79) and 200 back (1:55.95) while also swimming the lead off leg for the record holding 800 freestyle relay. She also took third in the 100 back (54.71). At the NCAA championships she placed 5th in the 200 back in an all-time Big 12 record of 1:54.09. She also placed 13th in the 200 free and 14th in the 500 free becoming the first swimmer in Texas A&M history to swim in three individual evening finals at a NCAA Championship.

In the summer before her junior year, Kristen took fifth at summer nationals in the 200 back and qualified to be part of the U.S. National Team that participated at the Japan International Grand Prix in Japan.

Junior Year 2007-2008

enior year 2008-2009

At the 2008 USA Olympic Trials, she finished 5th place in the 200 meter backstroke in a time of 2:10.18. [cite news|title=Heiss Claims Second Silver Medal at U.S. Open|url=http://www.aggieathletics.com/pressRelease.php?SID=WSW&PRID=14682] Throughout the 2008 Trials, Kristen kept a blog about her experiences and the trials, and will serve as an editorial intern for Swimmingworldmagazine.com. cite news |title=U.S. Olympic Trials: Texas A&M's Kristen Heiss Says Goodbye To Omaha|url=http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/18493.asp?q=U.S.%20Olympic%20Trials:%20Texas%20A&M's%20Kristen%20Heiss%20Says%20Goodbye%20To%20Omaha] Her performance, including her three career-best 200 Backstroke times, and two career-best 200 freestyle times, came less than two weeks after spending 5 days in a Bryan, Texas hospital undergoing treatment for pulmonary embolisms.freestyle with a time of 4:09.25 [cite news|title=Three meet records fall on day three at U.S. Open|url=http://www.usaswimming.org/usasweb/ViewNewsArticle.aspx?TabId=2&Alias=Rainbow&Lang=en&ItemId=2154&mid=1256] . On the third night, Kristen took gold in the 200 freestyle, being only the 2nd A&M swimmer to ever do so. She tied with former NCAA Champion Mary Descenza in a lifetime best of 1:59.43. With this win, Kristen is guaranteed a spot in the World University Games.

References