Amanda Carner
Amanda Carner is an IM and backstroke specialist originally from Newport News, Virginia. Born October 18, 1993 Carner is an NCAA All-American competing for the University of Tennessee Volunteers — at the 2015 NCAA meet Carner finished a career high 7th place in the 400-yard IM.
High school career
Prior to Tennessee Carner was a three-time Peninsula District champion as a student at Menchville High School. Swimming World magazine ranked Carner as a 5-star recruit, leaving high school as the Virginia State Record Holder in the 200-yard back, posting a 1:56.72. Carner was also a 2012 Olympic Trials participant.
University of Tennessee
2012-2013
As a freshman Carner made Tennessee’s SEC conference team, and placed in all three of her events — Carner posted a best time in the 200-yard IM, finished 11th in the 400-yard IM and took 12th in the 200-yard backstroke. Her times earned her an invite to the NCAA Championships as just a freshman, and she finished 33rd overall in the 200-yard back, improving her best time.
2013-2014
Carner used her versatility to swim a number of events in the dual meet season of her sophomore year. At her first rest meet of the year at the AT&T Winter National Championships Carner posted NCAA ‘B’ standards in both the medley events.
At the 2014 SEC meet Carner competed in the consolation finals of both the 200-yard IM and the 400-yard IM. She finished 5th in the B final in the 200, and 2nd in the B final of the 400 — her 400 IM time secured her an invite to the NCAA Championships. At the NCAA Championships Carner went a best time in the 200-yard, but added about one second in the 400. Her best finish came in the 200-yard backstroke, missing out on a second swim by just four places.
2014-2015
As a junior with two NCAA meets under her belt Carner had herself set up for the best season yet. At the 2015 SEC Championships Carner extended her event lineup by swimming the backstroke leg on the 400-yard medley relay, which picked up a gold. She also was a 200 freestyle leg on the 800-yard medley relay that picked up 9th. Individually Carner took 4th in the 400-yard IM, 6th in the 200-yard IM, and 10th in the 200-yard back posting best times in all events.
Carner returned to her third consecutive NCAA Championships in 2015. Day one Carner started off her meet with the 200-yard IM, tying for 21st. After her individual swim she led off the 400-yard medley relay that finished 5th. On day two she led off the 200-yard medley relay that finished with a bronze, and swam the 400-yard IM in the next event. She dropped two seconds from prelims, and went another best time to finish 7th overall in the event. Carner also finished in the 200-yard back.