Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger High School, 1991 – 95
Lia graduated from Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger in 1995. During her high school career, she was undefeated in the 500-yard freestyle, breaking the state record her senior year with a time of 4:51.48. As a junior, she also won the 100-yard backstroke state title and established the state mark. She was the recipient of a full-ride scholarship to Southern Methodist University where she continued her swimming career. Lia was a 20-time Southwest/Western Athletic Conference champion. She was a four-time NCAA champion and earned a total of 19 All-American honors with her performances at the NCAA championships. She also earned a NCAA postgraduate scholarship. Lia competed in international meets for Team USA including the 1997 Short Course World Championships in Goteberg, Sweden (earning a silver and a bronze medal), the 1997 Pan Pacific Games in Fukuoka, Japan and the 1999 Pan Pacific Games in Sydney, Australia. She is a two-time American Record holder, a 3-time Masters World Record Holder, and a 2-time US Open Record Holder. Lia still loves swimming as much as she did when she was in high school, and as a college and professional swimmer. She states: “It is the only thing that makes complete sense to her.”