University of Minnesota Athletics
Gretchen Hegener - M Club Hall of Fame
Gretchen Hegener
Class of 2010
Swimming: 1994-98
One of the greatest breaststrokers in University of Minnesota history with 14 All-America citations to her credit, Gretchen Hegener left an indelible mark the Golden Gopher Swimming program.
Hegener set the school record for All-America honors during her four year career from 1994-95 through 1997-98, including seven first team citations. She also became the American record-holder in the 100 breaststroke in 1997, with a time of 1:00.32.
A three-time first team All-Big Ten performer, Hegener became the first Minnesota women's swimmer to capture an NCAA championship with her 100-meter breaststroke win in 1997. On the conference level, she captured the 100 and 200 breaststroke Big Ten Championships in 1996-97 and 1997-98 and was a member of the Big Ten championship 200 medley relay team in 1995-96.
Hegener held the school record in both the 100 and 200 breaststroke, which were both set in 1996-97 and remained the school record-holder for the next 12 years before Gopher Olympian Jillian Tyler broke her record.
The Big Ten co-Swimmer of the Year in 1997, Hegener was named Minnesota's Senior Athlete of the Year in 1998 and eventually was inducted into the Minnesota Aquatics Hall of Fame in the fall of 2005.