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Dara Torres: 1967—: Olympic Swimmer, Model, TV Reporter and Announcer - From Hyperactivity To Competition

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Born on April 15, 1967 in Beverly Hills, California, Torres was born to former model Marylu Torres, a Miss Rheingold finalist, and real estate broker Edjward Torres. Dara Torres enjoyed a privileged childhood and displayed more than normal energy levels and heightened urges to best her siblings. She as well as her four older brothers—Mike, Kirk, Brad, and Rick —and little sister Lara learned swimming from their mom. Dara entered competitive swimming at age eight and quickly outpaced her elder brothers. After her mother's divorce and remarriage to tournament tennis player Edward Kauder in 1977, Dara rechanneled her hyperactivity, with Kauder's help, into athletic competition.

When she was 12 Torres set a national age-group swim record. On entering her teens at the prestigious Westlake School in Los Angeles, she received a "Most Likely to Break a Record in the Guinness Book" citation. At age 14, under the guidance of Tandem Swim Club coach Terry Palma of Culver City, California. Up, Torres started collecting a growing list of honors and won national acclaim. Upon entering Mission Viejo High School, to be near her coach and team for daily workouts, she boarded with Flo and Mike Stutzman and their 10-year-old daughter, Heather. Torres practiced regularly at the University of Southern California pool and followed strict house rules that allowed group activities, but no dating. In February 1983, an article in Sports Illustrated remarked on her breaking swim champ Jill Sterkel's world record at Amersfoort, Holland.

At a Glance . . .

Born on April 15, 1967, in Beverly Hills, CA. Education: University of Florida, degree in broadcasting and communication, 1989.

Career: Commentator TV sports, NBC, ESPN, TNT, Fox News, Fox Sports, and CNN; research assistant, NBC Sports; spokesperson Tae-Bo workout tapes; host, Discovery Channel; fashion model, 1992-99.

Awards: National age-group swim record, 1979; world speed record, Amersfoort, Holland, 1983; gold medal for the 400-meter freestyle relay, Los Angeles Olympic Games, 1984; three gold medals for 100-meter and 400-meter freestyle and 400-meter relay, Pan Pacific Championships, 1987; bronze medal for the 400-meter freestyle relay and silver medal for the 400-meter medley, 1988; 28 All-America honors, University of Florida, 1986-89; gold medal for the 400-meter free relay, Barcelona Olympics, 1992; 50-meter freestyle first place, U. S. Open, San Antonio, Texas, 1999; 100-meter freestyle, Phillips 66 Nationals in Federal Way, Washington, 2000; two gold medals for 400-meter freestyle and 400-meter medley, three bronze medals for 50-meter and 100-meter freestyle and 100-meter fly, Sydney Olympics, 2000; 12-time national swim champion; former world-record holder 50-meter freestyle, American record holder 50-meter freestyle and 100-meter fly, 2000.

Addresses: Office—USA Swimming, 1 Olympic Plaza, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80909-5746. Website— http://www.dara-torres.com/

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