The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Longhorn legends: Women's Swimming Hall of Honor inductee Whitney Hedgepeth
10.25.2007 | Women's Swimming and Diving
For some athletes, it takes three years of diligent practice before it is their turn to take to the big stage -- three years on the bench, three years in the minor leagues, three years as the second-string quarterback. Then there are the ones who only need three years in one place to leave a legacy of greatness. Such is the case of former swimmer, Whitney Hedgepeth, who, come this November, will be inducted into the Texas Women's Athletics Hall of Honor.
"I feel very privileged to be mentioned in the same breath with such amazing student-athletes that have attended The University of Texas," Hedgepeth said. "Like all the others inductees, I am very honored with this accolade."
As a sophomore transfer from the University of Florida, Hedgepeth had an instant impact on the Longhorns swimming program. During her three-year career at The University of Texas from 1991-94, Hedgepeth earned an amazing 21 All-America honors on top of being a three-time NCAA champion (twice in the 200 backstroke in 1992 and 1994, and the 200 freestyle relay in 1992). Because of her versatility and vast swimming accomplishments year after year, Hedgepeth gained MVP honors all three seasons as a Longhorn.
While at Texas, Hedgepeth also set an American record in the 200-yard backstroke in 1992, a record that would stand until 2001.
"The American record in the 200 yard backstroke at NCAAs would definitely be my favorite Texas memory," Hedgepeth recalled. "It happened two weeks after I failed to make the 1992 Olympic team. Setting a record made the disappointment a bit easier to swallow."
Nevertheless, for former head coach Jill Sterkel, none of those accomplishments were unexpected given Hedgepeth's determination to succeed.
"I'm not so sure I've ever coached anybody as tough at Whitney was," Sterkel said. "She had a total mentality of toughness, and the exciting thing about coaching somebody like her was that I could pretty much throw anything in her direction, and she'd take it on and do it. I think that really affected the people around her as well. It made them all rise up and think they could do it too.
"She was also such a good team player, which in swimming sounds kind of funny because it seems like an individual sport, but Whitney was so good at so many different things you could move her around in a lineup, even at NCAAs, and have her help you pretty much anywhere. If I did that to any other swimmer, they might kind of freak out, but for her, she did it, and she not only did it, but she did it really well."
After finishing her eligibility on the Forty Acres, Hedgepeth retired from swimming and taught sixth grade English for one year in Austin. However, the sport never left her mind, and Hedgepeth would eventually come out of retirement to train for the 1996 Summer Olympics. Though she was one year removed from competitive swimming, Hedgepeth had stayed in good shape training for triathlons. Moreover, this was not her first Olympic experience. In 1988, Hedgepeth finished eighth in the 200 individual medley at Seoul, and then in 1992, she failed to qualify for the Barcelona games. With her past experience behind her, Hedgepeth not only qualified for the 1996 Games at the age of 24, but left Atlanta with three medals around her neck -- one gold in the 400 freestyle relay and silvers in the 100 and 200 backstroke.
Atlanta would serve to be the grand finale to Hedgepeth's swimming career, as soon after she substituted competition with coaching. After the Olympics, Hedgepeth accepted an assistant coaching job at Clemson to start her career as a coach.
"I have been coaching swimming since 1996 and I currently coach masters swimming (ages 18-80) for Longhorn Aquatics, which is owned by the University," Hedgepeth said. "I like coaching because of the challenge of trying to help others become better swimmers. I also want to help them enjoy the feeling of swimming faster while improving their techniques."
Aside from being a coach, Hedgepeth also has a second job that is often exciting, but sometimes a little scary -- being a mother.
"I think becoming a mom has been my greatest achievement in life," Hedgepeth said. "It has humbled me and made me way more patient that I ever thought imaginable. Raising a family is one of the best things I have done in life."
Moreover, having a family is one of the reasons why Hedgepeth has stayed in Austin.
"I enjoy the atmosphere that Austin has to offer," Hedgepeth exclaimed. "I love all of the outdoor activities and the restaurants. It is a great place to raise kids. Once you're a Longhorn, you're always a Longhorn."
Though she may be a former Olympic medalist and former American record holder, Hedgepeth will always be a Longhorn whose legacy will be forever remembered in the Hall of Honor.
