If you’re swimming the 800m freestyle relay, you definitely want Peter Vanderkaay on your team. He’s an integral part of the foursome that has held the American record since 2004. But that was never good enough. So, at the 2008 Olympics, Peter and his teammates set a lofty goal: Finish under seven minutes for a world record. The warriors dominated from start to finish, leaving the field 5.14 seconds behind. Peter helped the team go 6:58.56. Done.

Olympics
2008
Bronze 200m freestyle
Gold 800m freestyle relay, World Record

2004
Gold 800m freestyle relay

World Championship Medals
2007
Gold 800m freestyle relay

For more on Peter, visit mutualofomaha.com/usaswim.