High School: Lettered three years in cross country at Fremont High School; won the regional championship as a sophomore, her first year running distance; was named MVP of the team all three years, and served as team captain as a junior and senior; finished 11th in state as a senior, earning all-state honors.
Personal: Rachel Amber Swaney was born on April 20, 1987, in East Grand Rapids, Mich.; is the daughter of Jeffrey and Marianne Swaney.