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Anne Tweedy Whitford

Anne Tweedy Whitford, Hall of Fame Athlete
Her athletic career began at the very young age of seven years old. She was introduced to competitive swimming through a youth program at the Santa Barbara YMCA. In just a year’s time she set an Amateur Athletic Union age group record in the 50 yard freestyle. She continued her dominance in age group swimming throughout her school years.

Before her career ended, Anne Tweedy had blossomed into a world-class swimmer. Her next goal was to win an Olympic Medal. It wasn’t for her lack of athletic excellence or effort which prevented her from reaching this goal.

Anne Tweedy probably can’t help but think now and then about what might have been. I fit hadn’t been for politics, the Santa Barbara native might be the proud owner of that Olympic Medal. The year was 1980. Anne was ranked third in the world in the 400 meter individual medley when she was just a 17 year old senior at San Marcos High School. She was gearing up for the Olympics, but that was the year the United States boycotted the Olympic Games in Moscow.

President of the United States, Jimmy Carter, made this unprecedented gesture to the world in protest of the Soviets’ intervention in Afghanistan. Because of this international situation, Anne Tweedy was denied her chance at an Olympic Medal.

Anne didn’t let this disappointment stop her love of competition. She went on to star for the Cardinal swim team at Stanford University. Anne graduated with a major in human biology.

Currently Anne lives in the greater Sacramento area with her family which includes two children. Between shuttling her children to golf and tennis competitions, she is a school teacher.

Anne Tweedy certainly deserves a place of honor as one of the finest female athletes from Santa Barbara.