Gena Bittner

Position:
Back/Fly
Height:
5-4
Class:
Senior
Hometown:
Beaufort, N.C.

Career Best Times:
57.74 in the 100-yard butterfly; 58.60 in the 100-yard backstroke; 2:06.25 in the 200-yard butterfly; 2:06.51 in the 200-yard backstroke.

General:
A versatile swimmer who adds depth for Carolina in the butterfly and backstroke events...much improved in her junior season when she set several personal bests…swam for the Carteret Currents for seven years…was a member of the zone championship team in both 1998 and 1999…was the zone team captain in 1999...athletic fund raising chair for UNC Dance Marathon which raises money for the North Carolina Children’s Hospital...tutors elementary school students each week...a top scholar athlete at UNC.

2002-03:
Competed in the 2003 ACC Championships as an exhibition swimmer...competed in the 100 fly, 100 back and 200 back at the meet...won the UNC women’s swimming team strength award in 2002-03...named to Dean’s List in spring semester 2003...chosen for 2002-03 ACC Academic Honor Roll.

2001-02:
Won the Class of 1989 Award as the squad’s Most Dedicated Swimmer...had her career best times in both the 100 and 200 fly events...also received the team’s award for the most outstanding performer in strength training...made Dean’s List in spring semester 2002...2002 ACC Academic Honor Roll selection...swam in the ACC meet as an exhibition swimmer.

Summer 2001:
Placed 23rd in the 100 fly at the USS Southern Sectional in Athens, Ga.

2000-2001:
Had an outstanding freshman year, earning her first letter while providing depth in the backstroke and butterfly events...Dean’s List student in fall semester 2000...ACC Academic Honor Roll choice.

Prep:
Graduated on June 9, 2000 from West Carteret High School…swam for her high school team all four years and ran track her senior year…was a North Carolina High School Scholar Athlete in both swimming and track…won the 2000 West Carteret High Most Outstanding Female Athlete accolade.

Personal:
Given name is Gena Lee Bittner...has also earned the name “Harley” from her teammates……was born February 2, 1982 in Morehead City, N.C.…is the daughter of Robert and Cathy Bittner…hobbies include goting to the beach, shopping and riding motorcycles...biggest sports thrill is winning last two ACC titles...the athlete she most admires is Chad Carvin saying “his career comeback was so insprining”…professes a love for Harley Davidson Motorcycles...during the summer she works as a lifeguard at Atlantic Beach, N.C.…majoring in chemistry...intersted in a career in forensics, possibly working for the FBI.