Year: 2022
Award: Swimming, College
Location/Affiliation: Colorado Mesa University
- 2022 NCAA II Champion (200 Breast)
- RMAC Co-Swimmer of the Year
- 5th place finish at the NCAA Championships
Lily Borgenheimer is the best swimmer in 200 breaststroke in Division II having won an NCAA title in 2022. This also makes her the best 200 breaststroke swimmer in Colorado Mesa University history winning the first National Championship for the school in the pool. She was honored with 6 total (5 first team) CSCAA All-America honors to add to her collegiate total of 15.
It’s not just individual honors that make Borgenheimer so special as the RMAC Co-Swimmer of the Year in 2021-22 and the RMAC Swimming & Diving Academic Athlete of the Year, it’s her team leadership. Borgenheimer guided CMU to their fourth straight RMAC title with a championship record score of 1323 ½ points. The team also finished 5th at NCAA Championships, the highest ever in program history. Her coach, Mickey Wender, called her one of the finest swimmers in the United States and an exceptional human being who gives selflessly to her community in a variety of ways.
Outside the pool, Borgenheimer’s involvement in the community is felt as a volunteer youth swim coach and a greenhouse worker who helps organize the community farmers markets. Just like her interest in horticulture, Borgenheimer’s accolades continue to grow. And is an honor to present her with back to back years being the Collegiate Swimmer Sportswomen of Colorado.
By Jenny Cavnar, AT&T SportsNet, Rockies broadcaster, 2021 Colorado Sportscaster of the Year and SWOC Honoree