Jill Sudduth

Jill Sabrina Sudduth (born September 9, 1971, in Baltimore, Maryland), also known as Jill Sudduth Smith, is an American competitor in synchronized swimming and 1996 Atlanta Olympic gold medalist in the synchronized team event. Sudduth attended college at San Jose State University, and most of her training from the Santa Clara Aquamaids team coached by Hall of Fame Coach Chris Carver. A Junior National titlist, she began competing for the U.S. National team around 1986.

Representing the Santa Clara Aquamaids by May 1985 at age 13, she competed in the semi-finals of the Duet Competition at the Contra Costa International Sports Festival, in Concord, California. Sudduth continued to train for elite competition with the strong Santa Clara Aquamaids team, where she received coaching from Hall of Fame Coach Chris Carver, and joined the U.S. National team around 1986. During her peak years with the National Team, Sudduth trained as many as seven hours daily, most frequently six days a week. Sudduth was soon winning Junior National titles, and by her High School Senior year, became World Duet and Team Champion in Junior competition.

In 1991, Sudduth recovered from a wrist injury, but it did not long affect her achievements in elite competition.

At the height of her career from 1994-1998, Sudduth captured 16 major competitions at the international level. These included the German, Swiss, and French, Open tournaments, and the World Cup. As noted earlier, she also took the Pan Pacific Championships during this period, and the World Championships Team event in 1991. She retired from elite competition in the early 2000's.

Honors Sudduth was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 2012. In 1993, Sudduth was a World Synchronized Swimmer of the Year. From 1990-1995, she earned honors as an All American Synchronized Swimmer of the Year.

In a later career in Las Vegas, Sudduth was a Cirque du Soleil performer, with the program Journey of Man.