Mary DeScenza
Rosary High School
Impact Statement
DeScenza was a four time State Champion at Rosary High School and went on to be a four time NCAA National Champion at the University of Georgia.
Biography
“Athletes like Mary Descenza are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “She has worked extremely hard to develop her skills and has become one of the best swimmers not only in the state of Illinois, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring her.”
Descenza set a national high school record (53.11) earlier this year in her specialty, the 100-meter butterfly, and is ranked No. 6 nationally in that event. She won her third state title this year to go along with a pair of state championships in the 200-meter freestyle. Also an established national and international veteran, Descenza finished fourth in the 100-meter butterfly in the FINA World Long Course Championships and second-, third-, and fourth-place finishes in the FINA World Short Course Championships this year.
She also competed in the 2000 Olympic Trials as a 15-year-old – the youngest competitor to qualify for the finals by six years – and finished sixth. She already has qualified for the 2004 Olympic Trials, and earned a scholarship to the University of Georgia. She competed at both the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Trials.
DeScenza became the first woman to win four consecutive NCAA Championships in the 200 yard butterfly. She also won the 100 yard butterfly her last two years. She was also legs on eight relay teams that won the NCAA’s as well. In addition, she was a 28 time All American.
After her senior season, DeScenza was a awarded the coveted Honda Award, which recognizes the most outstanding female college athletes from each of the 12 NCAA-sanctioned sports.
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