Wendy Henson Stafford

Wendy Henson Stafford was something of a prodigy in the pool even before a stellar career for CHASE High School and later Clemson University. She began swimming at the age of three after a near-fatal accident at a hotel pool led her parents to enroll Stafford in swimming lessons.

Stafford showed such an affinity for the water, she joined the Forest City Swim Team and by the time she was eight, Stafford was setting pool and team records. At age nine, Stafford competed in the North Carolina Junior Olympics before transferring her club affiliation to the Rutherford County Swim Team and later to the YSSC Spartanburg SpartAquatics in South Carolina.

During that time, she once again competed in the North Carolina Jr. Olympics in several events, ranking as the seventh best swimmer in the 10U age division. When she was 12, Stafford was chosen to attend the Olympic Training Select Camp in Colorado Springs.

Stafford attended CHASE High School from 1991-1995 and swam under coach Rhett Oglesby and she never lost a race while swimming for the Lady Trojans. During her CHASE career, Stafford held NCHSAA records for the 100, 200 and 500 Meter Freestyle events, while also setting the state record in the 200 IM (Individual Medley). These accomplishments led Stafford to be named the 1-3A NCHSAA Swimmer of the Year all four seasons during her prep career.

During that time, Stafford continued to excel for her club team in Spartanburg. She was an eight-time YMCA National Champion, setting National Records in the 100, 200, and 400 Meter Freestyle,

and for also setting South Carolina State records in six different events. While in high school, Stafford earned a spot on the 18U U.S.A. National Team and was a three-time high school All-American.

All those accolades led to Stafford earning a full scholarship to Clemson in 1995 and she found immediate success for the Tigers. Stafford earned 30 first place finishes for Clemson during the 1995-96 season, while also placing in the top four in six different events at the ACC Championships. She earned All-American status at the National Championships in the 200 Freestyle, along with many other honors. As a result, she was named as Clemson's Rookie of the Year and Swimmer of the Year.

Stafford's success continued as a sophomore, nearly qualifying for the U.S.A. Olympic team in the 200 I EMS Freestyle, missing the cut by .02 seconds. She finished the season with the third fastest time in Clemson history in both the 100 and 200 Freestyle. As a junior, Stafford earned a spot on the ACC Academic Honor Roll and was named as the "Most Dedicated" swimmer on the team. Stafford concluded her junior season by once again competing at the National Championships. She finished her Clemson career by securing a Top 15 national ranking in the 500 Freestyle, in addition to a second-place finish at the ACC Championships in the 200 Freestyle and sixth place in the 100 Freestyle.

After graduating from Clemson, Stafford entered the banking industry, but still found time to coach various clubs. Stafford and her family currently live in Powdersville, South Carolina where she

founded the Powdersville High School swim team in 2018. "I feel lucky to have called Rutherford County my home," Stafford says. "It is an honor and privilege to be nominated. I hope by accepting this honor, others will be motivated to achieve their goals through hard work, perseverance and a positive attitude."