Elkhart Central High School, 1991 – 95
Lindsay Benko swam at Elkhart Central High School 1991-95. She dominated the 100 and 200-yard freestyle events, winning eight individual state championship titles in her four-year tenure. Lindsay held the state record in the 200-yard freestyle from 1991-2011, and the 100-yard freestyle state record from 1993-2001. She contributed to an additional three state championship relay wins for Elkhart Central, for a total of 11 titles. Lindsay earned All-State honors 12 times and was named the 1994 IHSAA Mental Attitude winner. Nationally, Lindsay held the fastest time in two events her junior year and one event her senior year for a public high school swimmer. She was the first swimmer from Elkhart to be selected to compete in the National Swim Meet for high school seniors. As a high school swimmer, Lindsay earned All-American honors 10 times and was the 1995 Catherine Wolf Award winner for the outstanding female athlete in the Elkhart Community Schools. Lindsay went on to swim at the University of Southern California helping her team win the NCAA title in 1997. She finished her career at Troy as a five-time NCAA champion, three in the 500-yard freestyle (1996, 1997 and 1999) and two in the 200-yard backstroke (1996 and 1997). She was a 21-time All-American in her four-year stay at USC and reached the NCAA finals in all 12 individual events in which she competed. She represented Team USA in numerous international events including the 2000 Olympics in Sydney and 2004 Olympics in Athens, winning gold medals at both as a member of the 800-meter freestyle relay. Lindsay also served as the team captain for the 2000 and 2004 Olympic swim teams. Lindsay made her mark in the record books by setting American short course records in the 200, 400, and 800-meter freestyle events and World Records in the short course 200 and 400-meter freestyle events. Lindsay is married Canadian Olympian Mike Mintenko and currently serves as the USA Swimming National Team Managing Director.