Vixen swim coach finishes strong at U.S. Masters Swimming Nationals
Posted on May 03, 2016 by Neil Brown
Head swimming coach and aquatics director Donna Hodgert ’89 competed at the U.S. Masters Swimming Nationals in Greensboro, N.C., this past weekend. The event was held at the Greensboro Aquatic Center, which also hosted the 2016 ODAC Championships and NCAA Division III Championships.
Sweet Briar swim coach Donna Hodgert ’89 scored one fourth and one fifth place for the Virginia Masters Swimming Team.
Competing as a member of the Virginia Masters Swimming Team, Hodgert collected two top-five finishes. Swimming in the 45-49 age group, Hodgert took fourth place in the 100 fly with a time of 1:05.49 and fifth in the 200 IM with a time of 2:28.34. Both finishes scored points for her team, which ended up finishing eighth overall.
“The atmosphere at this meet is what I really look forward to being a part of,” Hodgert said. “I am surrounded by almost two thousand people who have the same passion I do for the sport. They all enjoy the healthy lifestyle that swimming brings and everyone is just thankful to be able to get in the water and swim, no matter what age level.”
The event features around 1,800 swimmers over the age of 18 competing across three days. Many former Olympians and even some current Olympic hopefuls are found competing at the competition. According to Hodgert, Erika Braun from North Carolina competed for an Olympic trials cut in an attempt to be the oldest female Olympian at age 44.
A familiar face around campus, Hodgert graduated from Sweet Briar in 1989. She was named an All-American swimmer and set one relay and three individual school records that still stand today.
Sweet Briar swim coach Donna Hodgert ’89 scored one fourth and one fifth place for the Virginia Masters Swimming Team.Competing as a member of the Virginia Masters Swimming Team, Hodgert collected two top-five finishes. Swimming in the 45-49 age group, Hodgert took fourth place in the 100 fly with a time of 1:05.49 and fifth in the 200 IM with a time of 2:28.34. Both finishes scored points for her team, which ended up finishing eighth overall.
“The atmosphere at this meet is what I really look forward to being a part of,” Hodgert said. “I am surrounded by almost two thousand people who have the same passion I do for the sport. They all enjoy the healthy lifestyle that swimming brings and everyone is just thankful to be able to get in the water and swim, no matter what age level.”
The event features around 1,800 swimmers over the age of 18 competing across three days. Many former Olympians and even some current Olympic hopefuls are found competing at the competition. According to Hodgert, Erika Braun from North Carolina competed for an Olympic trials cut in an attempt to be the oldest female Olympian at age 44.
A familiar face around campus, Hodgert graduated from Sweet Briar in 1989. She was named an All-American swimmer and set one relay and three individual school records that still stand today.
