Gabe Woodward

Olympic Gold and a crusade for health are trademarks of Kern County-bred swimmer Gabe Woodward. Born in Bakersfield 1979, Woodward first came to prominence while competing for the University of Southern California.

But he gain national attention for his performance at the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens Greece. Woodward captured a bronze medal as part of the United States’ 400-meter freestyle relay team.

 It was a fitting end to a campaign that also included sixth-place finish in the 100-meter freestyle at the 2004 Spring Nationals and third place in the 50-meter and 100-meter freestyle events at the 2003 U.S. Open.

His collegiate career included a bronze medal in the 400-meter individual freestyle at the 1999 World University Games.

Woodward is among the school all-time leaders in both the 50-yard and 100-yard freestyle at USC, where he was a senior co-captain and a four-time all-American.

Woodward is active in a campaign to warn teens about the dangers of smoking, citing its negative effects on performance.