University of Nevada Athletics

Swimming & Diving (1978-80)
A three-time All-American on Nevada’s 1979 Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women national championship team, Karen Petterson was inducted into the Nevada’s Athletics Hall of Fame both as an individual (1989) and a member of that squad (1991). A four-year letterwinner, she set school records in the 50 yard freestyle, the 200 yard free relay, the 400 yard relay, the 200 yard medley relay and the 400 yard medley relay. Her records stood until the late 1980s. She earned All-America honors in 1978, 1979 and 1980. In the 1979 national championship meet, she finished eighth or higher in six different events, including four fourth place finishes. Petterson also received a third place medal at the 1980 NCAA Championships in the 50 yard backstroke. A team captain her junior and senior seasons, she was a scholar athlete at the University of Nevada and was the university’s female athlete of the year in 1980. Petterson remained in Reno and owned and operated a successful photography studio.