Over the course of her life, Rendy Lynn Opdycke has participated in a wide variety of aquatic sports, including swimming. Her swimming highlights include, being a member of Team USA on the Open Water ('05) and Modern Pentathlon ('11-'12) National teams. The International Swimming Hall of Fame has even recognized her open water marathon world records.

As a student-athlete, Rendy attended a division 1 school, earned a B.A. inCommunication with a Media Emphasis and obtained a Non-Profit and Leadership minors from the University of San Diego in 2006. Then she completed an M.Ed. Graduate degree in Athletic Administration from the University of Southern California in 2008 from the Rossier School of Education, PASA Program. During her graduate studies, she was proud to work as a swim instructor for the USC community outreach programs.

After retiring from Team USA in 2012, Rendy coached on a USA Swimming Development and Masters program while volunteering on two USMS boards (Open Water and Long Distance Committee). She later worked for IRONMAN, World Triathlon Group and coached athletes as an IRONMAN Certified Coach. When she joined the USMS National office staff in 2021, she became a member of the Communications and Marketing department.

The USMS community benefits from her detailed knowledge of stroke technique that allows swimmers of all levels to dramatically improve their swimming ability. Her motto is: “Impossible is just a word.”