The fastest American women's swimmer in both the 200 and 400 meter events heading into the Olympics, Allison Schmitt picked up a much-needed silver medal for her country on Sunday by placing second in the women's 400m freestyle.

Though she earned a bronze medal on Day 1 as a member of the 400 meter free relay team, Schmitt's efforts on Sunday gave her the first individual medal of her Olympic career. The Canton High School graduate finished with a time of 4:01.77, narrowly behind gold medalist Camille Muffat's Olympic-record setting time of 4:01.45. Despite the close defeat, Schmitt cruised past the rest of the field to claim her silver medal by more than a full second.

Now 2-for-2 in her quest for medals, Schmitt will now set her sights on the 200 meter freestyle event this week. Heats will begin on Monday morning with qualifying starting up two days later.

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