In 1984 the Olympics famously returned to the United States, as they were held in Los Angeles, California, and among the many representing the states in the contest was Louisville’s own, swimmer Tori Trees.
In that Olympics Trees won fifth in the Women’s 200 Meter Backstroke, of course her aquatic story has a lot more to it than just the world’s greatest stage.
A year following the ’84 Olympics Trees would win the NCAA National Championship for the 200-yard backstroke at her alma mater of the University of Texas at Austin.
Prior to the Lonestar State, Trees developed her swimming acumen here in the Derby City and area swim club, the Lakeside Swim Team.
Following her college graduation she became a coach in Houston with her Husband, later moving to Denver. Today, the current Trees Smith lives in Denver with her family and works as a coach at the Denver Swim Academy.
Swimming runs in her family to, as Smith’s husband John Smith, was also a standout at the University of Texas, and her son Clark is one of the best swimmers to come out of Colorado in recent years.
Outside Sources
Image courtesy of Denver Swim Academy
