Rhyan Elizabeth White (born January 25, 2000) is an American swimmer.
She won a silver medal in the 4x100-meter medley relay at the 2020 Summer Olympics for her contribution in the prelims of the event and placed fourth in both the 100-meter backstroke and the 200-meter backstroke.
At the 2020 Olympics, White also became the first Utah-born swimmer to compete in an Olympic Games.
At the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics, she was the only swimmer representing the United States to win a medal.
She won her first world title in the 200-meter backstroke at the 2021 World Short Course Championships.
Early life and education
White was born and raised in Herriman, Utah."
Rhyan White - Bio".
SwimSwam.
Retrieved July 23, 2021.
While attending Cottonwood High School in Murray, Utah, she swam for her high school swim team, winning UHSAA state swimming championships titles in the 100-yard butterfly, 100-yard backstroke, and 200-yard individual medley.Lepesant, Anne (October 7, 2017).
"National Junior Teamer Ryan White Commits to Alabama".
SwimSwam.
Retrieved July 23, 2021.
She graduated from Academy for Math, Engineering, and Science, which is physically contained within Cottonwood High School.
White committed to competing collegiately for the University of Alabama in 2017 and started swimming for the school in the autumn of 2018.
She currently attends and swims for the University of Alabama, where she is majoring in psychology.
Swimming career
2016 US Olympic Trials
At the 2016 US Olympic Trials in swimming, White competed in two events.
She finished in 18th place overall in the 200-meter backstroke with a time of 2:12.36, and 61st overall with a time of 1:02.82 in the 100-meter backstroke."
2016 Olympic Trials Results".
USA Swimming.
July 3, 2016.
Retrieved July 23, 2021.
2018 Summer Youth Olympics
White was the only American swimmer to win a medal of any type, gold, silver, or bronze, at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires, Argentina, winning the bronze medal in the 100-meter backstroke with a time of 1:00.60.Omega Timing; Atos (October 12, 2018).
"Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games: Official Results Book Swimming".
International Olympic Committee.
Retrieved December 12, 2021.
With the one bronze medal White won, the United States tied with Egypt, Spain, and South Korea for 30th-place in the medal table for swimming at the 2018 Youth Olympics."
Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018: Medal Table - Swimming".
FINA.
October 18, 2018.
Retrieved December 12, 2021.
2020 US Olympic Trials
In June 2021 at the US Olympic Trials in Omaha, Nebraska, White became the first woman from the University of Alabama to win any event at a US Olympic trials in swimming when she won the 200-meter backstroke.Walsh, Christopher (June 19, 2021).
"Ryan White the First Crimson Tide Woman to Win Event at U.S. Swimming Olympic Team Trials".
Sports Illustrated.
Retrieved July 23, 2021.
White qualified for the 2020 US Olympic swim team with her first place finish in the 200-meter backstroke, with a time of 2:05.73, and her second place finish in the 100-meter backstroke with a time of 58.60."
2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Wave II: Women's 100m Backstroke Final Results".
Omega Timing.
June 15, 2021."
2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Wave II: Women's 200m Backstroke Final Results".
Omega Timing.
June 19, 2021.Ross, Andy (June 19, 2021).
"Rhyan White, Phoebe Bacon Follow in Footsteps of Idols to Make Olympic Team in 200 Backstroke".
Swimming World.
Retrieved July 23, 2021.
2020 Summer Olympics
The 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan were the first Olympic Games White made the US Olympic team.Giordano, Katie (June 23, 2021).
"Meet the U.S. Olympic Swimming Team for Tokyo".
NBC Olympics.
Retrieved July 23, 2021.
She became the third female athlete from the University of Alabama to make the US Olympic team in any sport, and the first female swimmer from the school."
University of Alabama swimmer secured spot on U.S. Olympic team".
WVTM 13.
Retrieved July 23, 2021.
White was the first swimmer from Utah to compete in an Olympic Games.Miller, Ryan (July 18, 2021).
"How Ryan White's Olympic run could help elevate swimming in Utah".
KSL.com.
Retrieved July 25, 2021.
Her first race at an Olympic Games was in the prelims of the 100-meter backstroke where she swam a 59.02, ranked sixth overall, and advanced to the semifinals.Sutherland, James (July 25, 2021).
"Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Day 2 Prelims Live Recap".
SwimSwam.
Retrieved July 25, 2021.
She advanced to the final from the semifinals where she swam a 58.46 and ranked fourth.Sutherland, James (July 25, 2021).
"Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Day 2 Finals Live Recap".
SwimSwam.
Retrieved July 25, 2021.
In the final, White swam a 58.43 and finished in fourth place less than half a second after the third place finisher and bronze medalist, American Regan Smith."
Alabama Swimming’s Rhyan White Takes Fourth in the 100-meter Backstroke at the Tokyo Olympics".
Alabama Crimson Tide.
Retrieved July 26, 2021."
Utah Olympians: Rhyan White just misses podium with 4th place finish in 100m back".
KSL.com.
July 26, 2021.
Retrieved July 26, 2021.
On day six of competition, White tied for second overall in the prelims heats of the 200-meter backstroke with a time of 2:08.23 and advanced to the semifinals.Anderson, Jared (July 29, 2021).
"Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Day 6 Prelims Live Recap".
SwimSwam.
Retrieved July 29, 2021."
Rhyan White Wins Heat To Advance To 200 Meter Backstroke Semifinals".
KSL Sports.
July 29, 2021.
Retrieved July 29, 2021.
In the semifinals on day seven, White swam the third fastest time for both semifinal heats with a time of 2:07.28 and qualified for the final of the 200 meter backstroke the following day.Coles, Joe (July 29, 2021).
"Olympic roundup: Utah native Rhyan White finishes third overall to advance to women's 200-meter backstroke finals".
Deseret News.
Retrieved July 29, 2021.Newberry, Paul (July 29, 2021).
"Rhyan White Finished Third In Women's 200m Backstroke Semifinal".
KSL Sports.
Retrieved July 29, 2021.Juarez, Ruben (July 30, 2021).
"West Michigan roots for Olympians Alex Rose and Rhyan White".
WOOD-TV.
Retrieved July 30, 2021.
Later in the day, White swam the backstroke leg of the 4x100-meter medley relay, contributing to the relay ranking second for all prelims heats and qualifying for the final.Anderson, Jared (July 30, 2021).
"Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Day 7 Prelims Live Recap".
SwimSwam.
Retrieved July 30, 2021.
In the morning on day eight, White placed fourth in the final of the 200-meter backstroke with her time of 2:06.39."
Rhyan White Caps Alabama's Week in the Pool at the Tokyo Games with a Silver Medal".
Alabama Crimson Tide.
August 1, 2021.
Retrieved August 2, 2021.Sutherland, James (July 30, 2021).
"Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Day 7 Finals Live Recap".
SwimSwam.
Retrieved August 2, 2021."
Utah Olympians: Rhyan White comes up just short of a medal again with 4th-place finish in 200 back".
KSL.com.
July 30, 2021.
Retrieved August 2, 2021.
On the ninth and final day, the finals relay of the 4x100-meter medley relay finished second and White won a silver medal for her swim as part of the prelims relay in the event.Jag, Julie (July 31, 2021).
"Rhyan White wins Olympic medal with USA Swimming's women's 4x100 medley relay".
The Salt Lake Tribune.
Retrieved August 2, 2021.
2021 World Short Course Championships
White entered to compete in three individual events, the 50-meter, 100-meter, and 200-meter backstroke, at the 2021 World Short Course Championships in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates in December."
2021 FINA Short Course World Championships Roster".
USA Swimming.
28 October 2021.
Retrieved October 28, 2021.
In the prelims heats of the 100-meter backstroke on day one, White advanced to the semifinals with a time of 56.76 seconds, which ranked her fifth overall.FINA (December 16, 2021).
"15th FINA World Swimming Championships 2021 Abu Dhabi (UAE): Women's 100m Backstroke Heats Results Summary".
Omega Timing.
Retrieved December 16, 2021.Penland, Spencer (December 15, 2021).
"2021 SC World Championships: Day 1 Heats Live Recap".
SwimSwam.
Retrieved December 16, 2021.
She tied Kira Toussaint of the Netherlands for second-rank in the semifinals with a time of 56.05 seconds and qualified for the final.FINA (December 16, 2021).
"15th FINA World Swimming Championships 2021 Abu Dhabi (UAE): Women's 100m Backstroke Semifinals Results Summary".
Omega Timing.
Retrieved December 16, 2021.
On the second day of competition, White helped win a silver medal in the 4×50-meter medley relay with finals relay teammates Lydia Jacoby, Claire Curzan, and Abbey Weitzeil, contributing a 26.33 backstroke split to the final time of 1:43.61.FINA (December 17, 2021).
"15th FINA World Swimming Championships 2021 Abu Dhabi (UAE): Women's 4x50m Medley Relay Final Results".
Omega Timing.
Retrieved December 17, 2021.Moss, Bonnie (December 17, 2021).
"Casas' Gold Leads Way for U.S. on FINA World Championships (25m) Night Two".
USA Swimming.
Retrieved December 17, 2021.
Later in the same session, White placed fifth in the final of the 100-meter backstroke with a 55.87.FINA (17 December 2021).
"15th FINA World Swimming Championships 2021 Abu Dhabi (UAE): Women's 100m Backstroke Final Results".
Omega Timing.
Retrieved 17 December 2021.
The following morning, White swam a 2:04.08 in the prelims heats of the 200-meter backstroke and qualified for the final ranking second overall.FINA (December 18, 2021).
"15th FINA World Swimming Championships 2021 Abu Dhabi (UAE): Women's 200m Backstroke Heats Results Summary".
Omega Timing.
Retrieved December 18, 2021.
In the evening, White won the gold medal in the 200-meter backstroke with a 2:01.58.FINA (December 18, 2021).
"15th FINA World Swimming Championships 2021 Abu Dhabi (UAE): Women's 200m Backstroke Final Results".
Omega Timing.
Retrieved December 18, 2021.OlympicTalk (December 18, 2021).
"U.S. swimmers grab more golds at short course worlds; Olympics out due to COVID".
NBC Sports.
Retrieved December 18, 2021.
White's win was her first world title and the first individual gold medal won by a swimmer from the University of Alabama swim program at a World Championships."
Alabama's Rhyan White is the 2021 World Champion in the 200m Backstroke".
Alabama Crimson Tide.
Retrieved December 18, 2021.
Day four, White decided not to swim the 50-meter backstroke.FINA (19 December 2021).
"15th FINA World Swimming Championships 2021 Abu Dhabi (UAE): Women's 50m Backstroke Heats Results Summary".
Omega Timing.
Retrieved 19 December 2021.
She officially withdrew from competition alongside teammates MIchael Andrew and Michael Brinegar the same day.Keith, Braden (December 19, 2021).
"Michael Andrew, Michael Brinegar, Rhyan White Withdraw From SC Worlds".
SwimSwam.
Retrieved December 19, 2021.
Physique
White's coach from when she competed at Cottonwood High School partially attributed White's speed to her ability to naturally hyperextend her knees in such a way that provided heightened mobility.Jag, Julie (July 29, 2021).
"Rhyan White is Utah's first Olympic swimmer.
Will she be the last?".
The Salt Lake Tribune.
Retrieved July 29, 2021.
Awards and honors
Southeastern Conference (SEC), Female Swimmer of the Year: 2020—2021"2021 SEC Swimming & Diving Awards Announced".
Southeastern Conference.
April 15, 2021.
Retrieved October 12, 2021.
Southeastern Conference (SEC), Commissioner's Trophy: 2020—2021
References
External links
