Dec. 22, 1999

Jenny Thompson, who graduated in 1995, was named U.S. Olympic Committee Sportswoman of the Year on Tuesday. Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong and the reigning world champion U.S. women’s soccer team won the same award for the year’s Most Outstanding Man and Team, respectively.

Thompson, 26, is on her way to Australia for three weeks of training in preparation for the 2000 Sydney Olympics. If 2000 is anywhere near as good as 1999, she will be very successful. At this year’s Pan Pacific Championships, Thompson won six gold medals. The highlight of her wins was the 100-meter butterfly in which she broke Mary T. Meagher’s world record, one that stood for the past 18 years. Meagher’s record was the world’s second-oldest swimming record. Thompson broke three short-course world records and added three more summer national titles to her name, giving her the most of any active swimmer with 23.

Thompson was appreciative of the honor although surprised to win over Michelle Akers of the U.S. women’s soccer team and Venus Williams, U.S. Open champion.

Said Thompson, "I expected good things of 1999. I did have a pretty amazing year when looking back. I look for even better things next year."