Swope excelled in both crew and swimming. Swope was a member of the first ever women's crew team at Fordham, and as a sophomore served as captain. The women's four boat went undefeated in dual meets that year while winning the Metropolitan Championship.
 
As a junior Swope was part of the Metropolitan Championship swimming team, and as a captain in her senior year, she was a member of the first women's 400 freestyle relay team to qualify for the State Championships. After her graduation from Fordham College in 1980, Swope was named an alternate for the United States Olympic Rowing Team, and has won three national crew championships while also competing for the United States in three World Championships. She was a member of the 1986 Goodwill Games Champions. She was also a member and chairwoman of the women's Olympic Rowing Committee.