Already an NCAA Champion as a long-distance swimmer, Emily Brunemann took advantage of a redshirt year in 2009 to get comfortable with the world of open-water swimming. With her ability to get stronger as a race goes on, the open-water swimming events were a great fit.

After spending just three days learning the basics at a camp in South Florida, she entered the U.S. Open Water Trials and shocked just about everyone by winning the 10K race in her open water debut. In winning the event, Brunemann qualified for the World Championships in Rome, where she continued to make a splash by being the only swimmer to place in the top 10 in both the 5K and 10K.

As she continued to find success in the open water, the accolades followed, including being named USA Swimming's Female Open Water Swimmer of the Year just one year after her first experience outside of the swimming pool.

Open-water swimming will be making its Olympic debut at the 2012 Games in London, and Emily Brunemann will be a rising star to watch as the Olympic Games get closer.