| Rank | Event | Year | Location | Result |
| Olympic Games | ||||
| Heats | 400m Freestyle | 2008 | Beijing, CHN | 4:09.59 |
| Heats | 800m Freestyle | 2008 | Beijing, CHN | 8:26.98 |
| World Championships | ||||
| 1 | 800m Freestyle | 2007 | Melbourne, VIC, AUS | 8:18.52 |
| 1 | 1500m Freestyle | 2007 | Melbourne, VIC, AUS | 15:53.05 |
| 1 | 800m Freestyle | 2005 | Montreal, QC, CAN | 8:25.31 |
| 1 | 1500m Freestyle | 2005 | Montreal, QC, CAN | 16:00.41 |
| 2 | 1500m Freestyle | 2011 | Shanghai, CHN | 15:55.60 |
| 3 | 800m Freestyle | 2011 | Shanghai, CHN | 8:23.36 |
| Pan Pacific Championships | ||||
| 1 | 800m Freestyle | 2010 | Irvine, CA, USA | 8:21.59 |
| 2 | 1500m Freestyle | 2010 | Irvine, CA, USA | 16:03.26 |
| World Championships Short Course | ||||
| 3 | 800m Freestyle | 2010 | Dubai, UAE | 8:12.84 |
Hobbies
Shopping and spending time with her friends. (US Swimming, 29 Jan 2007)
Education
Chapman University, Orange, CA, USA
Club name
Fullerton Aquatics Sports Team [FAST], Fullerton, CA, USA
Coach
Jon Urbanchek (usaswimming.org, 25 Oct 2011)
Debut
2004 for United States, World Short Course Championships (United States) (US Swimming, 12 Aug 2005)
Injuries
She suffers from asthma, a condition which became aggravated by pollen and other allergens when her club switched to outdoor training. She had to consult a breathing specialist to control the problem. (Washington Post, 12 Aug 2005)
Before a meet in March 2003, she jumped into the warm-up pool with her toes pointed down, slammed them against the bottom of the pool and broke both feet. She was at practice again three days later with a cast on one leg and a splint on the other. "I couldn't kick," she said, "But I could still work on my flip turns." (Washington Post, 14 Mar 2005)
Additional information
Start of sporting career
She started swimming before she was seven years old. (Washington Post, 14 Mar 2005)
Reason for taking up this sport
Her parents enticed her to the sport with a colourful swimsuit. (Washington Post, 14 Mar 2005)
Ambitions
"My long-term goal is to do well in the Olympics. I'm always thinking about how I can improve and be in top form for 2012." (go.com, 31 Aug 2011)
Training
She trains up to four hours a day, six days a week (usaswimming.org, 19 Nov 2010)
Most memorable sporting achievement
Setting a world record for the women's 1500m freestyle. The previous holder, Janet Evans, called her the next day to congratulate her. "It was the highlight of my career." (kateziegler.com, 26 Nov 2010, go.com, 31 Aug 2011)
Hero
US swimmer Janet Evans. (go.com, 31 Aug 2011)
Superstitions / Rituals
She likes to celebrate a big win by going out with her mum and getting her nails done. (USA Swimming, 08 Mar 2007)
Sporting philosophy / motto
"Try my best, do well and have a good time."
"I finally was able to realise and accept the fact that being a champion is not about the medals, the records, or any of that. It's about being able to take what happens, win or otherwise, and grow from it – be better for it." (US Swimming, 12 Aug 2005, usaswimming.org, 25 Oct 2011)
Awards
She won the Perseverance Award at the 2011 Golden Goggles. She accepted the award in bare feet after earlier taking off her shoes because her feet hurt. (universalsports.com, 20 Jul 2011)
She won the Female Performance of the Year Award again in 2007. This time she received the award for breaking swimming's longest standing world record, Janet Evans' 1500m record, set in March 1988. (goldengoggles.com, 10 Jul 2008)
After her performance in the 1500m at the 2005 World Championships she received the Female Performance of the Year Award at US Swimming's 2005 Golden Goggle Awards. (The Washington Post, 30 Nov 2005)
She was a two-time high school All-American [2003-04]. (USA Swimming, 08 Mar 2007)
General
1500M FRUSTRATION
She is frustrated by the fact that her best event, the 1500m freestyle, is not included in the Olympic Games programme for women. "It kind of stinks it's the event I hold the world record in, and I'm pretty solid in, and I can't have a chance at winning that gold medal," she said. "I can't do anything about it." (washingtonpost.com, 04 Jul 2008)
EDUCATION
She moved to Chapman University, California, when she started swimming for FAST. "It is tough balancing swimming and school, education is so important to me, and that was instilled in me from a young age by my parents." (usaswimming.org, 25 Oct 2011)
FRESH START
After performing below her own expectations at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, she's tried to change the way she approaches life. "This period has been the biggest period of growth in my entire life – even just the past 18 months. Not only moving out here (to California) for the fresh start, but because I have started to redefine who I am as a person, feeling so much more mature and confident in myself and my ability." (usaswimming.org, 25 Oct 2011)
Previous Olympics
Beijing 2008
