View source for Maritza Correia

{{short description|Puerto Rican swimmer, Olympic silver medalist, former world record-breaker}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2015}}
{{Infobox swimmer
| name           = Maritza Correia
| image          = Olympic Medalist Maritza Correia takes the Pledge (25899205524).jpg
| image_size     = <!-- Only for images narrower than 220 pixels -->
| alt            =
| caption        = Correia in April 2016
| fullname       = 
| nicknames      = "Ritz"
| national_team  = {{USA}}
| strokes        = [[Freestyle swimming|Freestyle]]
| club           = Brandon Blue Wave
| collegeteam    = [[Georgia Bulldogs swimming and diving|University of Georgia]]
| birth_date     = {{Birth date and age|1981|12|23|mf=y}}
| birth_place    = [[San Juan, Puerto Rico]]
| death_date     = 
| death_place    =
| height         = {{convert|5|ft|9|in|m|abbr=on}}
| weight         = {{convert|134|lb|kg|abbr=on}}
| medaltemplates =
{{MedalSport | Women's swimming}}
{{MedalCountry | the United States}}
{{MedalCompetition | [[Swimming at the Summer Olympics|Olympic Games]]}}
{{MedalSilver | [[2004 Summer Olympics|2004 Athens]] | [[Swimming at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Women's 4 × 100 metre freestyle relay|4x100 m freestyle]]}}
{{MedalCompetition | [[FINA World Aquatics Championships|World Championships (LC)]]}}
{{MedalGold | [[2003 World Aquatics Championships|2003 Barcelona]] | [[Swimming at the 2003 World Aquatics Championships – Women's 4 × 100 metre freestyle relay|4×100 m freestyle]] }}
{{MedalSilver | [[2001 World Aquatics Championships|2001 Fukuoka]] | [[Swimming at the 2001 World Aquatics Championships – Women's 4 × 100 metre freestyle relay|4×100 m freestyle]] }}
{{MedalCompetition | [[FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m)|World Championships (SC)]]}}
{{MedalSilver | [[2006 FINA Short Course World Championships|2006 Shanghai]] | 4x100 m medley}}
{{MedalBronze | [[2006 FINA Short Course World Championships|2006 Shanghai]] | 100 m freestyle}}
{{MedalCompetition | [[Pan American Games]]}}
{{MedalGold | [[2007 Pan American Games|2007 Rio]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rio2007.org.br/data/pages/8CA3C784139C20FF01139C2C41550F77.htm |title=Pan American Games Rio 2007 Results |access-date=July 29, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070714230548/http://www.rio2007.org.br/data/pages/8CA3C784139C20FF01139C2C41550F77.htm |archive-date=July 14, 2007 }}</ref>|[[Swimming at the 2007 Pan American Games|4x100 m freestyle]]}}
{{MedalGold | [[2007 Pan American Games|2007 Rio]]|[[Swimming at the 2007 Pan American Games|4x100 m medley]]}}
{{MedalCompetition | [[Summer Universiade]]}}
{{MedalGold | [[Swimming at the 2005 Summer Universiade|2005 Izmir]] | 50 m freestyle}}
{{MedalGold | [[Swimming at the 2005 Summer Universiade|2005 Izmir]] | 4x100 m freestyle}}
{{MedalGold | [[Swimming at the 2005 Summer Universiade|2005 Izmir]] | 4x100 m medley}}
|website= {{URL| https://www.maritzamcclendon.com/}}
}}

'''Maritza Correia''' (born December 23, 1981), also known by her married name '''Maritza McClendon''', is a former Olympic [[Swimming (sport)|swimmer]] from Puerto Rico who swam representing the United States.<ref>{{cite Sports-Reference |title=Ritz Correia |quote=Full name: Maritza "Ritz" Correia (-McClendon)}}</ref> When she qualified for the U.S. Olympic team in 2004, she became the first [[Puerto Rican citizenship|Puerto Rican]] of [[Black history of Puerto Rico|African]] descent to be a member of the U.S. Olympic swimming team. She was the first female [[African Americans|African-American]] swimmer for the [[United States]] to win an [[Olympic medal]]. She also became the first [[Black people|black]] American swimmer to set an [[List of United States records in swimming|American]] and world swimming record.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://prettytough.com/maritza-correia-first-african-american-olympic-swimmer/ |title=Maritza Correia – first African-American Olympic swimmer &#124; PRETTY TOUGH™ |publisher=Prettytough.com |date=2007-11-24 |access-date=2019-11-18 |archive-date=December 5, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205074217/http://prettytough.com/maritza-correia-first-african-american-olympic-swimmer/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Early years==
Correia was born and raised in [[San Juan, Puerto Rico]]. Her parents, Vincent and Anne, had moved there from [[Guyana]]. In 1988, when Correia was seven years old, she was diagnosed with severe [[scoliosis]].<ref name="NTP">[http://www.usaswimming.org/ViewNewsArticle.aspx?TabId=0&itemid=3189&mid=8712 BLACK HISTORY MONTH: NATIONAL TEAM PIONEERS] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304201334/http://www.usaswimming.org/ViewNewsArticle.aspx?TabId=0&itemid=3189&mid=8712 |date=March 4, 2016 }}</ref> Her doctor recommended that she take swimming classes and use swimming as a treatment for her condition. In 1990, her family moved and settled in [[Tampa, Florida]].<ref>[https://www.realhealthmag.com/articles/372_109.shtml Real Health]</ref>

Correia attended [[Tampa Bay Technical High School]] and joined the school's swimming team. In 1999, she became the 50-meter freestyle U.S. national champion in the 18-and-under category.<ref name="TBT">{{cite web |url=http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/article470193.ece |title=Olympic medalist knows about physical challenges – Tampa Bay Times |access-date=May 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120514021545/http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/article470193.ece |archive-date=May 14, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> She was also a six-time Florida high school state champion in five different events. Correia was a member of the 1997 USA national junior team that competed in [[Sweden]] and the 1999 USA Short Course World Championships team that competed in Hong Kong.<ref name="NTP"/>

In 1999, Correia joined the [[University of Georgia]] Lady Bulldogs swimming and diving team.<ref name="NABJ">[https://sportstaskforce.wordpress.com/2009/06/ NABJ Sports Task Force]</ref> She aided the team when they won their title in the 400 m freestyle relay. She earned a share of the SEC Commissioner's Trophy for high-point honors. Correia was the first swimmer in [[Southeastern Conference]] history to win an SEC title in all freestyle events. During her college career she was a 27-time All-American, and 11-time NCAA champion.<ref name="TBT"/>

==National Champion, Olympics, Universiade==
===2000 US Olympic Trials===
Correia hoped to participate at the [[2000 Summer Olympics]] in [[Sydney]]. She competed at the [[2000 United States Olympic trials (swimming)|Olympic trials]], but she failed to make the team.<ref name="TBT"/>

===2001 World Championships===
In 2001, Correia won a gold medal in the 800-meter freestyle and two bronze medals in the medley and 400-meter freestyle relay as a member of the U.S. team at the 2001 World Championships in [[Japan]].<ref name="TBT"/>

===2002 NCAA Championships===
In 2002, Correia became the national champion in both the 50-yard and 100-yard freestyle and was a member of two winning relay teams at the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]] Championships in [[Austin, Texas]]. She set the NCAA, American, and U.S. Open records with a time of 21.69 in the 50-yard freestyle, surpassing [[Amy Van Dyken]]'s mark of 21.77 set in 1994. She earned twenty-seven [[All-American]] certificates and was awarded the Commissioner's Cup as the high point scorer in the SEC Championships.<ref name="TBT"/>

===2003 World Championships===
In July 2003, Correia earned a gold medal swimming in a preliminary heat of the [[Swimming at the 2003 World Aquatics Championships – Women's 4 × 100 metre freestyle relay|4 × 100-meter freestyle relay]] at the [[2003 World Aquatics Championships|World Aquatics Championships]] in [[Barcelona]], [[Spain]].

===2004===
====2004 Summer Olympics====
{{MedalTableTop|name=no|header=[[Swimming at the 2004 Summer Olympics|2004 Summer Olympics]]}}
{{MedalSilver | [[Swimming at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Women's 4 × 100 metre freestyle relay|4x100 m freestyle relay]] | 3:36.39 }}
{{MedalBottom}}
{{see also|Swimming at the 2004 Summer Olympics}}
She earned an Olympic silver medal swimming the prelims of the [[Swimming at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Women's 4 × 100 metre freestyle relay|4 × 100-meter freestyle relay]] at the [[2004 Summer Olympics]] in [[Athens]], [[Greece]] in August 2004. Correia became the first female African-American swimmer to win an [[Olympic medal]] for the United States.<ref name="SwimSwam23March2015">[https://swimswam.com/1st-african-american-woman-to-win-an-olympic-medal-relects-on-the-historic-1-2-3-minority-finish-at-womens-ncaas/ "1st African American woman to win an Olympic medal relects on the historic 1-2-3 Minority Finish at Women's NCAAs"]. ''[[SwimSwam]]''. March 23, 2015. Retrieved July 2, 2021.</ref>

====2004 World Championships====
In October 2004, she won a gold medal swimming the prelims of the 4 × 100-meter freestyle relay at the [[2004 FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m)|Short Course World Championships]] in [[Indianapolis]].

===2005===
Correia attended the University of Georgia as a sociology major and graduated in 2005.

====2005 Summer Universiade====
In 2005, she won three gold medals at the [[Swimming at the 2005 Summer Universiade|2005 Summer Universiade]] in [[Izmir, Turkey]].<ref name="NABJ"/>

==After swimming==
In March 2010, Maritza married Chad McClendon, and on January 1, 2012, their son Kason was born. On September 25, 2013, the family added a daughter, Sanaya Anne.<ref>[http://www.usaswimming.org/ViewNewsArticle.aspx?TabId=1&itemid=4137&mid=8712 20 Question Tuesday: Maritza Correia McClendon] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927233553/http://www.usaswimming.org/ViewNewsArticle.aspx?TabId=1&itemid=4137&mid=8712 |date=September 27, 2013 }}, January 31, 2012.</ref><ref>[http://www.usaswimming.org/ViewNewsArticle.aspx?TabId=1&itemid=4194&mid=8712 An Interview with Maritza McClendon] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927233635/http://www.usaswimming.org/ViewNewsArticle.aspx?TabId=1&itemid=4194&mid=8712 |date=September 27, 2013 }}, February 22, 2012.</ref> McClendon is a member of [[Sigma Gamma Rho]] sorority.

==Highlights==
*2004 Olympic silver medalist: 4 × 100 freestyle relay
*First African American female to make the U.S. Olympic swim team
*2000 NCAA champion: 200-meter freestyle, 400-meter freestyle relay, 400-meter medley relay
*2001 NCAA champion: 800-yard freestyle relay
*2002 NCAA champion: 50-yard freestyle, 100-yard freestyle, 200-yard freestyle relay, 400-yard freestyle relay
*2003 NCAA champion: 50-yard freestyle, 100-yard freestyle
*2000-03 27-time All-American
*World record-holder in the 400-yard medley relay SCM at 2000 NCAA Championships
*American, NCAA, U.S. Open record holder: 50-yard freestyle (21.69) in 2002
*American, NCAA, U.S. Open record Holder: 200-yard freestyle relay (1:28.74) in 2002
*American, NCAA, U.S. Open record holder: 400-yard freestyle relay (3:13.71) in 2002
*2001, 2003 two-time world champion in 4 × 100 m freestyle relay
*2005 World University Games gold medalist: 50-meter freestyle, 4 × 100-meter freestyle relay, 4 × 100-meter medley relay, 4 × 200-meter freestyle relay
*2006 World Championships silver medalist: 100-meter freestyle
*2007 Pan American Games champion: 4 × 100-meter freestyle relay, 4 × 100-meter medley relay

==See also==
{{Portal|Puerto Rico|Biography|Olympics}}
* [[List of Puerto Ricans]]
* [[List of Guyanese Americans]]
* [[List of Olympic medalists in swimming (women)]]
* [[List of University of Georgia people]]
* [[List of World Aquatics Championships medalists in swimming (women)]]
* [[Pan American Games records in swimming]]
* [[World record progression 4 × 100 metres medley relay]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{web archive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515191647/http://www.usolympicteam.com/26_1105.htm |title=Maritza Correia at the U.S. Olympic Team}}
* {{Olympics.com profile|maritza-correia|oc_archive=20200812013250}}
* {{Olympedia|name=Ritz Correia}}
* [http://www.swimchampions.com/champions/detail/maritza-correia/ Swim Champions Fitter and Faster Tour]
* [http://www.arluckpromotions.com/athlete-management/.../maritza-correia/ Arluck Promotions Agency]{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
* [http://www.dotellproductions.com/ Parting the Waters]

{{Footer USA Swimming 2004 Summer Olympics}}
{{Footer Pan American Champions 4x100 m Freestyle Women}}
{{Footer Pan American Champions 4x100 m Medley Women}}
{{Footer Universiade Champions 50m Freestyle Women}}
{{Footer Universiade Champions 4x100m Freestyle Women}}
{{Footer Universiade Champions 4x100m Medley Women}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Correia, Maritza}}
[[Category:1981 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American female freestyle swimmers]]
[[Category:American people of Guyanese descent]]
[[Category:Sportspeople of Guyanese descent]]
[[Category:World record setters in swimming]]
[[Category:Georgia Bulldogs women's swimmers]]
[[Category:Medalists at the FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m)]]
[[Category:Olympic silver medalists for the United States in swimming]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from San Juan, Puerto Rico]]
[[Category:Puerto Rican female swimmers]]
[[Category:Swimmers at the 2004 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:World Aquatics Championships medalists in swimming]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2004 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Summer World University Games medalists in swimming]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2005 Summer Universiade]]
[[Category:FISU World University Games gold medalists for the United States]]
[[Category:Swimmers at the 2007 Pan American Games]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2007 Pan American Games]]
[[Category:Pan American Games gold medalists for the United States in swimming]]
[[Category:Puerto Rican people of African descent]]
[[Category:African-American swimmers]]
[[Category:21st-century Puerto Rican sportswomen]]