Sierra Schmidt, Swimming’s ‘Dancing Queen’ Leaves Legacy of Smiles, Inspiration

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

For years, Sierra Schmidt has entertained the crowd at the pool.

It wasn’t her swimming – at least not only her swimming.

The former Michigan All-American and five-time Team USA member was swimming’s “Dancing Queen” regularly going through lengthy dance routines to get herself ready for her distance races.

Somehow, she had the energy after a several-minute routine, to go out and swim a mile.

Schmidt, now with Sun Devil Aquatics, announced her retirement from competitive swimming, following the 400 freestyle at the U.S National Championships in Indianapolis.

“I think I swam the 800 and I made the realization that I am not going to be able to keep up with the fantastic talent that is here in the United States anymore,” Sierra Schmidt told Swimming World. “If I am not competitive, it is time to let the younger kids have those opportunities that I got to have early in my career to help develop me into the swimmer that I was. I love racing the fantastic athletes, and it breaks my heart when I can’t give them the performance they deserve.”

Schmidt gave that performance before every race with her dance routine, something she will forever be linked with.

It was something she started to help calm her own nerves, but as it became her signature, it also started to help others.

“It has been especially incredible the past few days. I do it for myself because I am nervous, even as old as I am now, I am still nervous behind the blocks,” Sierra Schmidt said. “But having younger kids come up and say they dance behind the blocks and it helps them, or coaches saying they have kids who do that and it changed their entire way of preparing – for me, that is the greatest gift that I could ever receive. It is better than any medal or any performance. Knowing I helped even one kid in my career makes me feel proud of what I have done in this sport.”

Schmidt is looking to remain around the pool deck in some capacity.

“I am looking forward to transitioning into this next chapter. I will probably not be going far from the deck,” Sierra Schmidt said. “I might be looking into coaching and joining some broadcasters doing some behind-the-scenes work. Swimming is always going to be a big part of my life. Older kids passed knowledge on to my, now it is my duty to pass that knowledge to the next generation.”

Schmidt is looking forward to going out on her own terms with one final race.

“I am blessed Bob (Bowman) gave me the opportunity one more time. He opened up his team to me and really took a risk with me. I cannot stress how incredibly grateful I am,” Schmidt said. “It is about enjoying every last moment. It has been fantastic getting swept up in the excitement of this ASU group. That has helped make the heartbreak of my impending retirement much less. I am excited to watch my teammates get the success that they have worked for.”

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Mindy Schmidt

10 months ago

Thank you so much to the Swimming World crew for all of your support of Sierra through the years!

Michelle Carol Rowen

10 months ago

Awesome career! Congrats

Adriano Nascimento Silva

10 months ago

Amazing Swimmer and talent. May you have an excellent career behind the blocks