Mary Killman (b. 4.9.1991)

Series: Outstanding Native Women | Story 1

• Olympian, Synchronized Swimmer

• Silver Medalist, Pan American Games

• 2001 Synchro Athlete of the Year*

Although born in Ada, Oklahoma and reared in Texas, swimming champion Mary Killman is also a citizen of the Oklahoma Citizen Potawatomi Nation.

At age 11 as a member of the Santa Clara Aquamaids, Killman competed as a race swimmer in youth competitions. "I took to the water like a fish," she would later state in an interview for Indian Country Today. At age 15, however, Mary decided to switch from race swimming to synchronized swimming.

A member of a closeknit family, Mary was homeschoole...