National Championship
1999
200-Yard Butterfly (2:04.21)

Maureen Szweda ’02, a standout swimmer at Glenbard East High School, started her collegiate career at Michigan State University. Disenchanted with the big-school atmosphere, she returned home.

One of the most decorated swimmers in North Central College and the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) history might have never been a Cardinal if not for a random holiday shopping stop.

“I decided I wanted to go to a smaller school close to home,” said Szweda. “My mom and I were driving in Naperville. We passed by the College and the rest is pretty much history. I called Coach [Dennis] Ryan the next day, told him I was a swimmer and I was enrolled and attending classes two weeks later.”

The swimmer won a CCIW-record 17 championships during her career (12 as an individual and five as part of relays). She still holds seven conference records (five individual, two as part of relays) in addition to 13 North Central varsity records (eight individual, five as part of relays). Szweda is the only four-time winner of the CCIW’s Most Valuable Swimmer award.

Perhaps her most impressive year was 1999. She won the 200-yard butterfly at the 1999 NCAA III National Championships and was named the Illinois Swimming Association Swimmer of the Year after setting Division III state records in the 100- and 200-yard butterfly and the 200-yard individual medley.