Columbus East High School, 1980 – 84
Pam Hayden swam for Columbus East High School and was a five-time individual state champion. She won the 200-yard freestyle her sophomore, junior and senior years and won the 500-yard freestyle her sophomore and senior years. Her senior year she set state records in both her individual events. Her 500-yard freestyle state record of 4:54.31 stood for 11 years. Pam was also a part of two state championship relay teams, which brings her told gold medal count to seven. In addition, Pam was the recipient of the IHSAA Mental Attitude Award in 1983 during her senior year.
Pam continued her swimming career at Clemson University, where she was an 18-time All-American and a 10-time Atlantic Coast Conference champion. She was a 1987 Pan-Am Games gold medalist in the 800-meter freestyle relay, and she attained a Top Ten world ranking in 1987 and 1988 in the 200-meter butterfly. Pam was a top-eight finalist in three events at the 1988 Olympic Trials. From 1990-92, she served as an assistant coach at Clemson. Pam’s husband Jeff was also a successful Clemson swimmer and was a four-time ACC champion. They live in Hershey, Pennsylvania and have three children. Pam is still very involved with Clemson Athletics through their booster organization. Incidentally, she still holds the 200-yard butterfly record at Clemson, with a 1:58 set in 1987.