1. Early Life and Education
Garrett Weber-Gale's early life was marked by his upbringing in Wisconsin and his formative years in competitive swimming, which laid the foundation for his future athletic success. His educational path included significant achievements at both the high school and collegiate levels, culminating in a national championship title.
1.1. Birth and Upbringing
Garrett Weber-Gale was born on August 6, 1985, in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, U.S. He is of Jewish heritage.
1.2. High School and Collegiate Career
Weber-Gale graduated from Nicolet High School in Glendale, Wisconsin, in 2003. He then attended the University of Texas, competing for the Texas Longhorns swimming and diving team from 2003 to 2007. During his collegiate career, he trained under Hall of Fame Head Coach Eddie Reese and Associate Coach Kris Kubik. In 2006, he became the NCAA Division I champion in the 100 yd freestyle.
1.3. Early Swimming Development
Weber-Gale began his competitive swimming career as a YMCA age-group swimmer at the Walter Schroeder Aquatic Center in Brown Deer, Wisconsin. He further refined his stroke training in Austin, Texas, swimming with Circle C, which is now known as Longhorn Aquatics. In 2003, while at Nicolet High School, he set a national public high school record in the 100 yd freestyle with a time of 43.49 seconds. He was also a four-time Wisconsin State Champion, securing two titles in the backstroke and one in the freestyle. Additionally, he was a multiple-time triathlon champion at the Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute, a summer camp affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism.
2. Swimming Career
Garrett Weber-Gale's professional swimming career is distinguished by his performances in major national and international competitions, where he earned multiple medals and set significant records.
2.1. United States Olympic Trials
At the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials, Weber-Gale won both the 328 ft (100 m) and 164 ft (50 m) freestyle events with times of 47.92 seconds and 21.47 seconds, respectively. His time of 21.47 seconds in the 164 ft (50 m) freestyle set a new American record. Furthermore, in the preliminaries of the 328 ft (100 m) freestyle at the Trials, he became the first American swimmer to break the 48-second barrier, clocking a time of 47.78 seconds.
At the 2009 USA Nationals and World Championships trials, Weber-Gale finished third in the 328 ft (100 m) freestyle with a time of 48.19 seconds. He also tied for second place with Cullen Jones in the 164 ft (50 m) freestyle, both recording 21.55 seconds. A swim-off was required to determine who would compete in the event at the 2009 World Aquatics Championships in Rome. Jones won the swim-off with a time of 21.41 seconds, which subsequently broke Weber-Gale's American record in the event.
2.2. Olympic Games
At the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, Weber-Gale was a crucial member of the 4 × 100 m freestyle relay team. This final race is widely regarded as one of the most significant relays in swimming history. Swimming the second leg of the relay, he recorded a split time of 47.02 seconds, contributing to the United States' gold medal victory over the pre-race favorite France. He also earned a gold medal for his participation in the heats of the 4 × 100 m medley relay. Individually, Weber-Gale competed in both the 164 ft (50 m) and 328 ft (100 m) freestyle events, though he did not advance past the semifinals in either.
2.3. World Aquatics Championships
Weber-Gale has achieved significant success at various FINA World Aquatics Championships. At the 2005 World Aquatics Championships in Montreal, he earned a gold medal in the 4 × 100 m freestyle relay. He secured another gold medal in the same event at the 2007 World Aquatics Championships in Melbourne. At the 2009 World Aquatics Championships, he swam the lead-off leg of the 4 × 100 m freestyle preliminaries with a time of 48.30 seconds, contributing to the U.S. team's gold medal in the final. In 2011, at the 2011 World Aquatics Championships in Shanghai, he won a gold medal in the 4 × 100 m medley relay and a bronze medal in the 4 × 100 m freestyle relay.
His achievements also extend to the World Championships (Short Course). At the 2010 Dubai Championships, he earned a gold medal in the 4 × 100 m medley relay and a silver medal in the 4 × 200 m freestyle relay. At the 2012 Istanbul Championships, he secured two gold medals in the 4 × 100 m freestyle relay and the 4 × 200 m freestyle relay.
2.4. Maccabiah Games
In 2013, Weber-Gale was selected as the flag bearer for Team USA at the opening ceremonies of the 19th Maccabiah Games in Israel. During these games, he won two gold medals: one in the 328 ft (100 m) freestyle with a time of 48.99 seconds, and another in the 164 ft (50 m) freestyle with a time of 22.12 seconds, setting a new Games record. He also secured a silver medal in the 4 × 200 m freestyle relay.
2.5. Notable Records and Achievements
Throughout his career, Garrett Weber-Gale set several significant records. He became the first American to break the 48-second barrier in the 328 ft (100 m) freestyle with a time of 47.78 seconds in 2008. His time of 21.47 seconds in the 164 ft (50 m) freestyle in 2008 also established a new American record. In 2003, while attending Nicolet High School, he set a national public high school record in the 100 yd freestyle with a time of 43.49 seconds. He was also a four-time Wisconsin State Champion. As a member of the United States relay teams, he contributed to world record-setting performances in the 4 × 100 m freestyle relay and the 4 × 100 m medley relay.
3. Personal Best Times
Garrett Weber-Gale's personal best times in various swimming events are as follows:
Long Course Meters:
- 164 ft (50 m) freestyle: 21.47 seconds
- 328 ft (100 m) freestyle: 47.78 seconds (First American to break 48 seconds)
- 328 ft (100 m) freestyle relay split: 47.02 seconds
- 656 ft (200 m) freestyle: 1:49.06
- 328 ft (100 m) backstroke: 56.48 seconds
Short Course Meters:
- 164 ft (50 m) freestyle: 21.31 seconds
- 328 ft (100 m) freestyle: 46.29 seconds
Short Course Yards:
- 50 yd freestyle: 19.16 seconds
- 100 yd freestyle: 41.94 seconds
- 200 yd freestyle: 1:33.53
- 100 yd backstroke: 47.33 seconds
4. Awards and Honors
Garrett Weber-Gale has received numerous awards and honors, recognizing his significant contributions to swimming and sports.
4.1. Major Sports Awards
On November 17, 2008, Weber-Gale, along with his Beijing relay teammates Michael Phelps, Cullen Jones, and Jason Lezak, received a Golden Goggles Award. On July 19, 2009, this same quartet was honored with an ESPY Award for Best Moment, recognizing their historic performance in the 4 × 100 m freestyle relay at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
4.2. Hall of Fame Inductions
Garrett Weber-Gale was elected to the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame as part of its induction class of 2015, recognizing his significant contributions and achievements in sports as a Jewish athlete.
5. Personal Life
Garrett Weber-Gale married in Austin, Texas, in the fall of 2013.