Wheaton College Athletics

Linda Pace Hinkle, a 1982 graduate, left Wheaton holding varsity records and Illinois Small College State records in the 200, 500, and 1,650-yard freestyles, 200 individual medley, and 200 backstroke, and the Wheaton varsity records in the 50 and 100 backstrokes. She also set the NCAA Division III national record in the 1,000 freestyle in 1982. During her career, she earned All-American and All-State honors in three freestyle, three backstroke, two individual medley and two medley relay distances, won 14 Illinois Small College State Championships and was the Illinois Swimming Association Swimmer of the Year in 1981 and 1982.

Pace says of the importance of discipline and perseverance, “I did not come to the sport of swimming with as much natural talent as some other athletes did. I always had to work very hard in order to swim quickly. The training program at Wheaton under Jon Lederhouse played a primary role in teaching me the discipline and perseverance necessary to achieve to my potential.”