Legends of Lee: Catie Ball (Swimming)

Catie Ball, Olympic swimmer

Competing for the Generals in 1967 Ball won the 2A Florida State Championship in the 200 yard individual medley and the 100 yard breaststroke events, setting state records in both events. She went on to win 3 gold medals at the 1967 Pan-American Games in the 100m breaststroke, 200m breaststroke and as the breaststroke leg of the United States' 4x100m Medley Relay team. Ball set world records in each event at the Pan-American Games. In 1968 Ball qualified and swam for the United States at the Summer Olympics in Mexico City, where she won a gold medal as a part of the 4x100m medley relay team. After graduation from Robert E. Lee Senior High School she attended the University of Florida. In 1972-1973 she became the University of Florida's first women's swim coach, where she coached for one season. In 1973 she graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Education from the University of Florida.