Karen Smyers (born September 1, 1961) is a triathlete from the United States. She was the 1990 and 1995 ITU Triathlon World Champion, and was also the 1995 Ironman World Champion. She was inducted into the Triathlon Hall of Fame in January 2009.
Early life Born on September 1, 1961 in Corry, Pennsylvania, Smyers "had a prestigious high school and college athletic career before becoming a professional triathlete," according to The Times Leader. She "was the captain of her high school swim team and made All-State in the sport." She was also the captain of her high school gymnastics team."Karen Smyers," in "Top 10 Women." Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania: The Times Leader, September 2, 1989, p. 8D (subscription required).
Career Smyers was employed as a computer programmer and consultant during the 1980s."Karen Smyers," in "Top 10 Women," The Times Leader, September 2, 1989, p. 8D. In 1987 and 1988, she resided in Somerville, Massachusetts and finished seventh and third, respectively, in the Greater Wilkes-Barre Triathlon in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania."More Racer Profiles: Women." Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania: The Times Leader, September 4, 1988, p. 16 D (subscription required).Sokoloski, Paul. "Triathlon lacks a favorite." Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania: The Times Leader, September 3, 1989, pp. 1D, 13D (subscription required). In 1988, she also secured her fourth consecutive victory in the Bay State Triathlon in New England."In Brief: Delhagen 4th." Allentown, Pennsylvania: The Morning Call, July 26, 1988, p. C4 (subscription required).
Smyers won the 1990 and 1995 ITU World Triathlon Series and the Ironman World Championship in 1995."Sport Stops," in "McNeely accused of hitting man in head with beer bottle." Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Philadelphia Daily News, November 13, 1995, p. 60 (subscription required). In January 2009, she was inducted into the Triathlon Hall of Fame.
Smyers resided in Lincoln, Massachusetts in 1995.Dahlberg, Tim. "U.S. makes record haul at Pan-Am." Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The Philadelphia Inquirer, March 27, 1995, p. C5 (subscription required).
Illness Smyers was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 1999.
References
External links