Olympic silver medalist Erica Sullivan announces retirement

Erica Sullivan announced her retirement Wednesday evening following the conclusion of the women’s 1,500 freestyle final at the U.S. Olympic Trials, where she placed 7th.

Sullivan hinted on Instagram that retirement was on the horizon after competing at the NCAAs, where she contributed to the Texas women’s third straight runner-up finish. There, she recorded a 6th place finish in the 1650 freestyle for her third consecutive All-American honor in that event.

Sullivan is a native of Las Vegas, Nevada and spent her club swimming career with the Nevada Sandpipers, where she enjoyed success in distance events as well as open water. She initially committed to swimming for the University of Southern California, but following a coaching overhaul, the Covid-19 pandemic and the loss of her father to cancer, ended up being canceled. disengage and re-enter the recruitment pool.

Before arriving in Texas in 2021, Sullivan continued to train and qualified for the postponed 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where she won silver in the 1500 freestyle. She achieved her best time in this final, in 15:41.41 behind her American teammate. Katie Ledecky. This time makes Sullivan the fifth fastest performer of all time and the second fastest American woman. This was the first year that the women’s 1,500 freestyle was contested at the Olympics.

Sullivan’s other international experience comes from the 2019 World Championships, where she finished 18th in the 25km open water event.

His best NCAA performance came during the 2021-22 season, his first year with the Longhorns. During this season, she placed 2nd in the 1650 freestyle and 3rd in the 500 freestyle, scoring 33 points.

Sullivan still has one year left at Texas, even though she has exhausted her NCAA eligibility. She specializes in radio and television and aspires to become a director.