Maritza McClendon

AMBASSADOR

Maritza McClendon has been a dedicated supporter of the USA Swimming Foundation for many years and officially joined as an Athlete Ambassador in 2025. In the pool, she made history as the first African American swimmer to set a World Record (2000, NCAA), first African American woman to break individual American records in the 50yd and 100yd freestyle (2002, NCAA), and the first to qualify for a U.S. Olympic Swim Team, earning a silver medal in 2004.

She is the only swimmer, male or female, to win a college conference title in every freestyle event from the 50 to the mile. She won 11 NCAA Division I titles, 3x World Championship medalist (1 gold, 2 silver), 4x World University Games Medalist (4 gold) and a 27-time All-American.

Maritza is married to her husband Chad, and they have two kids, Kason and Sanaya.