Gwen DeMaat was unbeatable in swimming in high school – she won every individual race in her high school career – at Grand Rapids Christian and then had an All-American career at the University of Michigan, too.
DeMaat was a six-time state champion while swimming for Christian. She won the state title in the 200 IM in 1983, the 200 freestyle in 1984 and ’85 and the 500 freestyle over three consecutive years (1983-85). In the 1985 state championship meet she set three state records in winning the 200 freestyle and 500 freestyle as well as swimming the lead lap in the winning 4x100 freestyle relay.
Three times she was selected as the Class B Swimmer of the Year and earned All-American honors those three years as well.
While still in high school DeMaat swam in the 1984 Olympic Trials and competed in the Trials again in 1988. She was also a National Junior Olympic Champion in the 200 freestyle in 1984.
At Michigan she won six individual Big Ten titles, was a three-time NCAA All-American and was the Big Ten Swimmer of the Year in 1987. She was the first Wolverine woman to garner that honor.