1977 Women's Swimming All-Americas (2014) - Widener University Athletics Hall of Fame

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1977 Women's Swimming All-Americas

Class
Induction

2014
Sport(s)

Women's Swimming

Donna Bender, Doreen McGowan, Linda Fleck, Patty Leayman and Marsha Reinecker comprise arguably the greatest women’s quintet in Widener Athletics history. Making up the women’s freestyle relay squad that raced four at a time and featured one alternate, they competed at the AIAW National Championships in 1977 and were crowned All-Americas. This was the highlight of a campaign in which they did not lose a race all season prior to the national championships. The 400-yard freestyle relay team closed in 11th place and the 200-yard freestyle relay squad finished 12th in the country. Bender for her career won five Middle Atlantic Conference titles, graduated with no fewer than eight school records that all lasted no fewer than 20 years, lost just once over 48 races in her first two years and helped Widener to a 20-0 record over her first two campaigns. Bender, McGowan, Fleck and Leayman all were named to the MAC All-Century Team in 2013.

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