Cathy Jamison swam for Woodrow Wilson High School in Portland, Oregon, and tried to make the 1964 Olympic team but did qualify at the US Trials. Later swimming for the Santa Clara Swim Club and Santa Clara University, she qualified for the 1968 US Olympic team by placing second in the 200 metre breaststroke at the final trials. She never competed again after the Olympics although she continued to swim for exercise and fun. Jamison, later as Cathy Imwalle, settled in Bend, Oregon, where she coached swimming at the Bend Swim Club and Mountain View High School.