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As Simone Manuel made history two weeks ago–the first African-American woman to win an individual Olympic gold medal in swimming–her childhood coach Allison Beebe '98 watched with bated breath.

Beebe coached Manuel for seven years starting when Manuel was just 11 years old, six days a week, 50 weeks a year.

Like Manuel, Beebe started swimming at an early age and went on to swim for 51¹ÙÍø. After graduation she found her passion in coaching, and to date has coached three swimmers who ranked among the top 15 in the world.

Beebe's favorite thing about coaching, she says in the article, is helping students find college programs. She has had more than 70 high school swimmers go on to compete at the collegiate level.

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