Women’s History Wednesday: Maritza “Ritz” Correia McClendon

“Life all in all has truly been a blessing, full of ups and downs, but in the end I wouldn't be here today without yesterday.”

Maritza Corriera was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. As a child, Correia was diagnosed with severe scoliosis. At the suggestion of her doctor, she took up swimming as therapy; well the rest is history. Corriera went on to become the first Puerto Rican of African descent to compete on the USA Swimming Team. In an interview, Correia stated, “Swimming helped work on my flexibility. My back was constantly in motion and gaining strength, and outside the water, I worked on my posture. To this day, no one can tell I ever had scoliosis. I believe it went away due to swimming and me working on my posture.”

Correia grew up in Tampa Bay, Florida, that is where she was introduced to competitive swimming through her older brother. Correia reflected about her experience growing up as one of very few people of color in the water. "Probably about 1 percent of U.S. swimmers are black, so it gives you an incentive to go out there and show them that we can do it, too ...". Correia went on to compete at the University of Georgia, earning All-American honor 27 times and winning 11 NCAA Championships throughout her career.

Dealing with the Pressure

While at Georgia, Correia was given the opportunity to compete in the 2000 Olympic Trials. However, there was a lot of buzz surrounding the trials and who would be the first African-American to compete and medal for the United States. Recalling her performance, Correia stated, “Leading up to the 2000 Olympic Trials, there was so much hype about who was going to be the ‘first’ African-American to make the U.S. Olympic Swimming Team … when I got to trials, I freaked out, my nerves got the best of me and I swam the worst race possible.”

Correia recalls being very depressed, but also lucky that she had a collegiate season to take her mind off her disappointment.

Correia did regain focus, winning medals in the 2001 World Championships and breaking NCAA records in the 50-yard and 100-yard freestyle events during the Austin Women’s Championships.

Olympic Glory

“During the 100m free at the 2004 Olympic Trials, my hand touched the wall and I knew I made the Olympic team and made history.”

Correia took advantage of her next Olympic trials, becoming the first female African-American to join the USA Swimming Team in preparation for the 2004 Athens Games. Correia would earn a Silver Medal as a member of the 400-meter free relay team, again making history.

After the Olympics, Correia continued to break records at the University of Georgia. Correia was the first swimmer, male or female, to hold an SEC title in every freestyle event. She is still the only female to accomplish this feat. Although Correia considered a run for the 2008 Olympics, injuries made her reconsider, and ultimately retire, “I tore my labrum in both of my shoulders and needed surgery. It was a tough decision to make right before 2008 Olympic Trials, but it was the best decision.”

Ambassador for the Sport and Women of Color

Maritza Corriea McClendon currently works with Nike and lives in Oregon with her husband and two children. Additionally, McClendon has partnered with her sorority Sigma Gamma Rho, AT&T, and USA Swimming on the Swim 1922 project, an effort to increase swimming skills and decrease drowning rates among communities of color. Of the project, McClendon states, “Having the opportunity to share my passion with the black community and hopefully see more of us in the water is very important to me. Swim 1922 is necessary and I don’t think USA Swimming could have asked for a better partner than Sigma Gamma Rho.”

Earlier this month, McClendon was inducted into the University of Georgia Circle of Honor.

Every Wednesday Erica Ayala picks an athlete who impacted the history of women's athletics. Follow Erica on Twitter @ELindsay08