Mary Montgomery

Mary Montgomery grew up in Asheville, North Carolina, where she was coached by her mother. She attended Asheville High School and then Florida State University. In 1971 Montgomery was given the Teague Award as the Outstanding Women Athlete in North Carolina. That year she was ranked fourth in the world in the 200 IM, 11th in the 200 freestyle, and 13th in the 400 freestyle. Montgomery won a silver medal in the 800 freestyle at the 1975 Pan American Games.

While at Florida State Montgomery contracted encephalitis, and later developed epilepsy, likely from the effects of the encephalitis. She struggled with seizures for the remainder of her life. Montgomery later became a swim coach at the Asheville Racquet Club in her hometown. She also worked as a concierge at the Biltmore Hotel, Grove Park Inn, and Bohemian Hotel.