ELIZABETH L. BEISEL
2024 INDUCTION TO THE RHODE ISLAND AQUATIC HALL OF FAME
Elizabeth was born in Saunderstown, Rhode Island, daughter of Joan Beisel (2018 RIAHOF Inductee) and the late Ted Beisel. She began her swimming career at five years old and later graduated from North Kingstown High School, where she
competed for four years and earned the maximum eight individual and multiple relay titles. As the most decorated swimmer to ever come from Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Interscholastic League Hall of Fame inducted Elizabeth in 2022.
Elizabeth competed for the Bluefish Swim Club and was coached by Chuck Batchelor from the age of 12 until she left for college. Elizabeth, a backstroke, and individual medley specialist, went on to earn nine major international medals, including four gold, one silver, and four bronze medals, spanning the Olympics, World Championships, and Pan Pacific Championships. Beisel (her affectionate nickname) made her first National Team at the age of 13, and at 15 was the youngest member of the 2008 Olympic Team.
A three-time Olympian, (2008 in Beijing, 2012 in London, and 2016 in Rio de Janeiro), Elizabeth earned two Olympic Medals and was Captain of the 2016 US Olympic Swim Team.
In NCAA competition, Elizabeth swam for the University of Florida under coach Gregg Troy from 2010 to 2014.
While at the University of Florida, Elizabeth won nine Southeastern Conference individual championship titles and was honored as the SEC Female Swimmer of the Year in 2012. In 2012, she won an NCAA individual title in the 200-yard backstroke, and in
2013 won an NCAA individual title in the 400-yard individual medley. In addition, Elizabeth received 18 All-American honors and earned first-team Academic All-American recognition. In 2014, Elizabeth was selected as the University of Florida’s Academic Athlete of the Year.
Elizabeth retired from competitive swimming after competing at the 2017 FINA World Championships.
Following retirement, Elizabeth began dedicating her time to philanthropic advocacy within Rhode Island. In 2017,
Elizabeth became an ambassador for Save the Bay, a non-profit dedicated to protecting and preserving the waters and coastlines of Rhode Island. She is the first and only woman to win the 2-mile Save the Bay swim from Newport to Jamestown. After losing her late father Ted to cancer in 2021, Elizabeth started her own charity called Block Cancer, which kicked off as a fundraising
swim to Block Island. Elizabeth is the first and only woman to date to swim the 12.5 miles to Block Island and raised over $665,000 for cancer research along the way.
In addition to a stellar swimming career and founding Block Cancer, Elizabeth remains heavily involved within the swimming community. She has played a key role in the cultivation of LEAD, an annual summit connecting and mentoring young female athletes with Olympic champions and experts. She is an Ambassador and Board Member of the USA Swimming
Foundation. Additionally, Elizabeth authored a book titled “Silver Lining” which details much of her swimming career. Beisel also conducts clinics around the country, working closely with youth in the sport. Elizabeth can often be seen on TV as an ESPN and NBC swimming analyst at high profile events like the NCAA Championships, World Championships, and the Olympic Games.
Elizabeth presently resides in Newport, Rhode Island