U.S. Olympic Athletes
David Walters
Height: 6-2 (188.0 cm)
Weight: 170 lbs (77.1 kg)
High School: Tabb HS '06
College: Texas '10
College Major: Undeclared, but is considering engineering
Coached By: Randy Reese / Eddie Reese
Club: University Of Texas / Coast Guard Blue Dolphins
Career Highlights
Placed first in the 100m free at 2007 Nationals...double bronze medalist swimming on the 400m and 800m free relays at the 2005 Junior Pan Pacs; also took sixth in the 100m free...2005 National Junior team member...placed sixth in the 200m free at the 2006 Nationals to earn a spot on the 2007 World Championships team.
- 2008 Olympic Games: Gold, 800m FR-R
- World Champs History: 2007: Gold, 800m FR-R(pr)
- Duel in the Pool History: First MoO Duel in the Pool (2007)
- U.S. Nationals History: 2007: 1st, 100m FR; 4th, 200m FR
- NCAA History: 2007(Fr): 4, 800y FR-R; 8, 200y FR; 15, 400y FR; 32, 100y FR
- 2007 World Rankings: 14th, 100m free; 14th, 200m free;
- 2006 World Rankings: 111th, 100m free; 29th, 200m free; 91st, 400m free
- 2005 World Rankings: 50th, 200m free
- National Titles: 100m Free (1): '07 SUM
Records
Holds AR in 800y FR-R, set at 2008 Big 12 Championships...holds USO in 800y FR-R, set at 2008 Big 12 Championships
Additional Honors
- National Teams: 2005 National Junior Team
- High School: Two-time Virginia Swimmer of the Year (2005-06)
Personal
- Parents: Wayne and Susan...father is a mechanical engineer, and mother is an operations coordinator...David and his father take as many beach trips to go surfing as possible
- Sibling(s): Sister (Gailey) swam at James Madison
- Notable Relative(s): Grandfather (George Cherry) competed in track and field at Auburn
- Future Professional Aspirations: Engineer for the Coast Guard
- Started Swimming: "I started swimming with my neighborhood team around the age 5 to improve my swimming skills so that I could go surfing in rougher conditions with my dad. It killed me to have to sit on the beach and see my dad get monster barrels."
- Sports Played Before Swimming: Soccer..."Unfortunately we didn't have a coach, so my dad stepped in after watching the FIFA World Cup and led the team to victory."
- Nickname(s): "Q-Tip"..."When summer time comes, I still have pale skin, and my body burns more than tans."
- Hobbies Outside the Pool: Surfing..."Whenever I have free time you can find me at my favorite surf spot. This past summer (2006) my parents bought a sailboat. So I've been learning how to sail and the ways of the water outside surf breaks."
- Ultimate Way to Relax: Hanging out by a campfire, listening to music, watching movies, and reading
- Most Influential Person: Club coach (Jack Bierie)..."He's taught me to be a man. Jack has given me discipline and courage to accomplish my goals. I'll never forget waking up at Nationals for wake-up swims, and then analyzing all the swimmers in my prelim heat over breakfast. Jack is also my friend."
- Charities: Newport News Beach Clean Up with Midtown Aquatic Center
- Training Stats: 15,000 meters/yards per day with doubles, 3.5 hours per day with doubles, plus weight training and dry land circuits
