Mike Barrowman

Mike Barrowman was a breaststroker who swam for the University of Michigan. He swam the 200 breaststroke at the 1988 and 1992 Olympics, just missing the podium in 1988 but winning gold in 1992. At Michigan, Barrowman won the 200-yard breaststroke title three years consecutively, 1989-91. He was World Champion in the 200 breaststroke in 1991, and won a silver medal at the 1987 Pan American Games. Barrowman won four gold medals at the Pan Pacific Championships, winning the 200 breast in 1989 and 1991, the 100 breaststroke in 1991, and winning a medley relay gold in 1991. During his career, he set five world records in the 200 metre breaststroke, his first in 1989 at the Pan Pacs, and his final one coming at Barcelona in 1992. Barrowman held the record for 13 years, from 1989-2002.

After he left the pool, Barrowman took up flatwater kayaking and began to compete in that sport, including at the 1995 US Olympic Festival. Barrowman also owned a film studio which created an award winning underwater television program for children. He eventually became a banker, living in the Cayman Islands. Barrowman was World Swimmer of the Year in 1989 and 1990, and was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1997. Barrowman was known eating huge quantities of hamburgers and french fries during his taper prior to major meets, but he maintained a strict diet while training.