Summer Sanders

In addition to excellence in swimming, Sanders also had strong academic credentials, entering Stanford University on an athletic scholarship in 1990. Her success as a swimmer came from her great feel for the water and being a good overall swimmer, but not the best sprinter or the best distance swimmer. She grew to an adult height and weight of five feet, nine inches tall and 125 pounds, with a lithe build. Although freestyle was the easiest stroke for most swimmers, it was her weakest event, while the butterfly was her strongest. Richard Quick, her coach at Stanford, told Karen Rosen of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "Summer swims the butterfly like Edwin Moses runs the hurdles, like Michael Jordan plays basketball. She just flows in the pool."

Sanders did well at Stanford. In 1991, she set National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) records in the 200-yard butterfly and the 400-yard individual medley, and an American record in the 200-yard individual medley. Stanford finished second in the NCAA championships, and Sanders was named NCAA swimmer of the year. That year, Sanders also competed at the World Championships, winning a gold medal in the 200-meter butterfly, as well as a silver and a bronze in other events.

At Stanford, the following year, Sanders continued to dominate. She set the U.S. record in the 200-yard butterfly and an NCAA record in the 400-yard medley. Stanford won the NCAA Championships, with Sanders earning 60 points, more than anyone else at the competition. She was again named swimmer of the year. However, it was the last time she would compete as a Cardinal. She gave up her remaining college eligibility to get sponsorships (primarily a deal with Speedo) and to train harder in preparation for the 1992 Summer Olympics.