April 11, 2002

Kelly VanGorden '02

GENEVA, N.Y.—William Smith College senior Kelly VanGorden (Palmyra-Macedon/Geneva, N.Y.) was recently honored by the New York State Women’s Collegiate Athletic Association Swimming and Diving Coaches as the Barbara Radef Award winner.

VanGorden, a psychology and sociology major, is a three-time All-American for the Herons. The William Smith record holder in the 50-yard breaststroke, the 100 breaststroke, the 200 breaststroke, the 100 individual medley, and the 200 IM, she qualified for the NCAA Championship meet in each of her four seasons. She won three UCAA individual championships and two NYSWCAA championships during her career.

VanGorden captured her first All-American honors at the 2001 NCAA Championship meet, garnering first-team accolades for her seventh place finish in the 100 breaststroke and All-American honorable mention with a 12th place finish in the 200 breaststroke. This season, she earned All-American honorable mention again with a ninth place finish in the 100 breaststroke.

An accomplished student as well, VanGorden has been named to the UCAA All-Academic team in each of the past three seasons, while twice earning NYSWCAA All-Academic honors. She was named to the College Swimming Coaches Association of America All-Academic team in 2001 after earning honorable mention in 2000. She is a member of William Smith’s Laurel Society (junior honor society) and Hai Timiai (senior honor society).

The Barbara Radef Award is given to a senior swimmer or diver who has demonstrated outstanding athletic ability, met acceptable academic standards of her school, has outstanding performances at the conference level, and distinguished performance at a higher level of competition.

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