University of Minnesota Athletics
Cindy Anderson - M Club Hall of Fame
Cindy Anderson
Women’s Swimming & Diving, 1976-79
HOF Class of 2004
A powerful backstroker and breaststroker, Cindy Anderson was the first swimmer in Gopher history to become a four-year All-American. She attained that status four times in individual events, and once on a relay team.
Three times the team’s Most Valuable Swimmer, Anderson set school records in six individual events and two relays. She was a five-time Big Ten champ, setting conference records in the 50-yard backstroke, 100-yard backstroke and 100-yard individual medley. She was one of the team’s top three performers in nearly every event she entered.
As a freshman, she placed fifth at the nationals in the 50-yard backstroke. Her junior year, she talled 94 points at the Big Ten Championships as the Gophers took third-place, their best to that point. Capturing the Big Ten title in the 100-yard backstroke, she was first to break the one-minute barrier in conference competition.
To cap off her career, Anderson placed eighth in the 50-yard backstroke at the 1979 National Championships and was honored as Minnesota Senior Athlete of the Year. In 1988 she was inducted into the U of M Aquatics Hall of Fame.