Olympic Swimming: A Tribute to American Swimmers Except for "Fred"

He who shall not be named due to extensive exposure in these Olympic swimming events has given us stories to talk about for many years to come. So congrats to the man that sports the same initials as Military Patrol. However, when the stories end at Water Cube, there are others that are being overshadowed and deserve a little more recognition then they've received. I don't think the Baltimore Bullet will mind, considering he doesn't read much about himself anyways.

Ryan Lochte

Definitely a fan favorite, Mr. Gator proved to be a key ingredient to the Olympic Swimming in Beijing. With his surfer looks and laid back style, Ryan delivered with a Bronze medal in the Men's 400m Individual Medley Final, a Gold medal in the Men's 400 x 200m Freestyle Relay Final, his first individual Gold in the Men's 200m Backstroke Final and another Bronze Medal for the Men's 200m Individual Medley Final to finish out his Olympic participation.

Jensen Larson

The forgotten 23-year-old Californian, Larson won the Bronze medal in the Men's 400m Freestyle Final, missing the silver by only .34 seconds. During the time of this article, Jensen also was in the midst of qualifying for the Men's 1500m Freestyle finishing 3rd in his first heat. Stay tuned, there may be another medal for the USA in this event before it's all said and done.

Katie Hoff

Another Maryland bred swimmer, Hoff (you can't help but think Knight Rider) started out the these Olympic Swimming events with a Bronze Medal in the Women's 400m Individual Medley Final, then broke into a Silver Medal in the Women's 400m Freestyle Final, and another Bronze Medal in the Women's 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay Final. Unfortunately she came up short in both the 200m Freestyle and 200m IM finishing 4th in both events. At this point she still has a shot for Gold in the Women's 800m Freestyle placing third in her heat.

Natalie Coughlin

What was supposed to be a Gold, turned into a Silver Medal in the Women's 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay Final for this California star and her teammates. However she took home the Gold Medal in the Women's 100m Backstroke Final, then grabbed 3 Bronze Medals in the Women's 200m Individual Medley Final, Women's 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay Final, and Women's 100m Freestyle Final.

Lacey NyMeyer

Sorry Lace, if I didn't spell your last name right, but Miss Arizona helped the U.S. grab the Silver Medal in the Women's 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay Final.

Kara Lynn Joyce

Another swimmer helping the U.S. get their Olympic Swimming hands on the Silver Medal in the Women's 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay Final.

Dara Torres

2008's "Momma Dolphin" of the water anchored the U.S. Women in their Silver Medal for the Women's 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay Final. She still has a shot at Gold in the Women's 50m Freestyle Final after she placed 1st in her Semifinal heat. This 41 year old ripped physique from Coral Springs, Florida looks to show everyone anything is possible and that age truly is just a number. Rock on Dara!

Christine Magnuson

Only having one race during these Olympic Swimming events, Magnuson took advantage of her shot taking home a Silver Medal in the Women's 100m Butterfly Final. She missed the Gold Medal by .37 seconds.

Garrett Weber-Gale

"Cool Hand Luke" helped the U.S. beat France for the Gold Medal in the Men's 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay Final. He also helped the U.S. get a first place finish in their heat for the Men's 4 x 100m Medley Relay, but won't be racing in the Finals. Although he will receive a medal if they place for his participation.

Cullen Jones

He came in with one race and delivered, helping "Fred" and his teammates beat France and take the Gold Medal in the Men's 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay Final.

Jason Lezak

Possibly the best relay finish in Olymplic history, Lezak beat out Alain Bernard in a comeback finish to give the Americans the Gold Medal in the Men's 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay Final. More importantly and on a personal note, Jason won his first individual medal during these Olympic Swimming events with a Bronze in the Men's 100m Freestyle Final.

Peter Vanderkaay

The entire family building their careers in Michigan, Vanderkaay stepped out on his own in the Men's 200m Freestyle Final and took home the Bronze Medal. Then he helped show the world how dominate the United States is in the Men's 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay Final winning the Gold Medal with ease. That race was ridiculous.

Margaret Hoelzer

Hoelzer came into the Beijing Games with two races to run and medaled in both. First she notched a Bronze Medal in the Women's 100m Backstroke Final. Four days later she won a Silver Medal in the Women's 200m Backstroke Final.

Aaron Peirsol

The 2008 Beijing Olympics started out great for Peirsol as he won the Gold Medal in the Men's 100m Backstroke Final. Then, three days later he took on his fiercest competitor (Ryan Lochte) in the Men's 200m Backstroke Final and settled for the Silver Medal.

Matt Grevers

Coming into these Olympic swimming games, Grevers only had two races to get ready for and showed he belongs with a Silver Medal in the Men's 100m Backstroke Final beat out only by Peirsol. He still has a chance to take home another medal in the Men's 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay.

Rebecca Soni

Probably one of the biggest surprises in the 2008 Beijing Olympics has been Soni grabbing a Silver Medal in the Women's 100m Breaststroke Final against Leisel Jones. However, it was her huge upset win over the heavily favored Aussie that was crazy when she won a Gold Medal in the Women's 200m Breaststroke Final by 1.83 seconds.

Ricky Berens

After beating out Keller for the final spot on the Men's 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay Final, Team USA took home the Gold Medal. This finish was an astonishing blowout, winning by 5.14 seconds. It was the first time a relay team broke the 7 minute mark in this event.

Allison Schmitt

The Americans were heavily favored in the Women's 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay Final, but never got it going and ended up settling for a Bronze Medal.

Caroline Burkle

Also a part of the Women's 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay Final and winner of a Bronze Medal.

More To Go

The 2008 Beijing Olympics has already brought many great stories pooside, but there's four more races to go. Dara Torres goes for Gold in the 50m Freestyle Final on August 17th, then the Men's 1500m Freestyle Final, the Women's 4 x 100m Medley Relay, the Men's 4 x 100m Medley Relay, and then the 10km Marathon Swimming Finals for both men and women.

While many of your names have felt obsolete due to the magnitude of a possible 8 Gold Medals by one athlete, it doesn't mean you haven't produced greatness for the USA and the swimming in general. Congratulations to all. We enjoyed each and everyone of you make your marks in Olympic history.