Karen Smyers

American triathlete (born 1961)
Karen Smyers
Medal record
Women's Triathlon
Representing the  United States
Ironman World Championships
Gold medal – first place 1995 Individual
Silver medal – second place 1994 Individual
Silver medal – second place 1999 Individual
Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place 1995 Mar del Plata Individual
ITU World Championships
Gold medal – first place 1990 Orlando Individual
Gold medal – first place 1995 Cancún Individual
Silver medal – second place 1993 Manchester Individual
ITU World Cup
Gold medal – first place 1991 Overall
US Pro Nationals
Gold medal – first place 1990 Individual
Gold medal – first place 1991 Individual
Gold medal – first place 1992 Individual
Gold medal – first place 1993 Individual
Gold medal – first place 1994 Individual
Gold medal – first place 1995 Individual

Karen Smyers (born September 1, 1961, in Corry, Pennsylvania) is a triathlete from the United States. She was the 1990 and 1995 ITU Triathlon World Champion, and was also the 1995 Ironman World Champion. She was inducted into the Triathlon Hall of Fame in January 2009.[1][2]

Formative years

Born on September 1, 1961 in Corry, Pennsylvania, Smyers "had a prestigious high school and college athletic career before becoming a professional triathlete," according to The Times Leader. She "was the captain of her high school swim team and made All-State in the sport." She was also the captain of her high school gynmastics team.[3]

Career

Smyers was employed as a computer programmer and consultant during the 1980s.[4] In 1987 and 1988, she resided in Somerville, Massachusetts and finished seventh and third, respectively, in the Greater Wilkes-Barre Triathlon in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.[5][6] In 1988, she also secured her fourth consecutive victory in the Bay State Triathlon in New England.[7]

Smyers won the 1990 and 1995 ITU World Triathlon Series and the Ironman World Championship in 1995.[8] In January 2009, she was inducted into the Triathlon Hall of Fame.[9][10]

Smyers resided in Lincoln, Massachusetts in 1995.[11]

Illness

Smyers was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 1999.[12][13]

References

  1. ^ "Death of a Thyroid: my diagnosis and treatment for thyroid cancer". Karen Smyers. 2010-11-19. Retrieved 2024-02-13.
  2. ^ Carlson, Timothy (26 January 2009). "A few thoughts from Karen Smyers, Hall of Famer". Slowtwitch.com. Retrieved 13 April 2011.
  3. ^ "Karen Smyers," in "Top 10 Women." Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania: The Times Leader, September 2, 1989, p. 8D (subscription required).
  4. ^ "Karen Smyers," in "Top 10 Women," The Times Leader, September 2, 1989, p. 8D.
  5. ^ "More Racer Profiles: Women." Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania: The Times Leader, September , 1988, p. 16 D (subscription required).
  6. ^ Sokoloski, Paul. "Triathlon lacks a favorite." Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania: The Times Leader, September 3, 1989, pp. 1D, 13D (subscription required).
  7. ^ "In Brief: Delhagen 4th." Allentown, Pennsylvania: The Morning Call, July 26, 1988, p. C4 (subscription required).
  8. ^ "Sport Stops," in "McNeely accused of hitting man in head with beer bottle." Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Philadelphia Daily News, November 13, 1995, p. 60 (subscription required).
  9. ^ "Death of a Thyroid: my diagnosis and treatment for thyroid cancer". Karen Smyers. 2010-11-19. Retrieved 2024-02-13.
  10. ^ Carlson, Timothy (26 January 2009). "A few thoughts from Karen Smyers, Hall of Famer". Slowtwitch.com. Retrieved 13 April 2011.
  11. ^ Dahlberg, Tim. "U.S. makes record haul at Pan-Am." Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The Philadelphia Inquirer, March 27, 1995, p. C5 (subscription required).
  12. ^ "Death of a Thyroid: my diagnosis and treatment for thyroid cancer". Karen Smyers. 2010-11-19. Retrieved 2024-02-13.
  13. ^ Carlson, Timothy (26 January 2009). "A few thoughts from Karen Smyers, Hall of Famer". Slowtwitch.com. Retrieved 13 April 2011.
  • Profile and race results at triathlon.org
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World Triathlon Long Distance Championships - Women
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World Triathlon Cup - Women's Champions
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