Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California.

After a successful career in the pool and open water, Florida native Stephanie Slabosz (née Peacock) is heading to California with her husband Derek Slabosz. She will study to become a chiropractor.

Beginning in 2007, she represented USA Swimming on the international scene. At the 2011, 2013 and 2015 World University Games, she won medals in the 400m freestyle (bronze), 1500m freestyle (gold), 10 km (two bronzes). By 2016, she was ranked eighth in the world and 4th in the USA in the 800m freestyle.

As a college swimmer at the University of North Carolina, she set NCAA records in both the 1000-yard freestyle and the 1650-yard freestyle that broke the record of Olympic star Janet Evans that had stood for 22 years. She also competed in Rio de Janeiro at the King and Queen of the Sea event, in South Africa at the aQuellé Midmar Mile, and at the Crippen Cup 10 km in Florida.

In her wedding this weekend along the Florida coast, Stephanie’s passion for the open water was evident.

Guests, including fellow open water swimmers Lexie Kelly, Dan O’Connor, and Ashley Twichell, had their names on starfish during the wedding reception.

The couple’s story is here.

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