Eight Former Clemson Women’s Swimmers Named To ACC 50th Anniversary Team

Aug. 21, 2002

CLEMSON, SC – Eight former members of the Clemson Women’s Swimming & Diving team were named to the 50th Anniversary All-ACC team as announced by the league’s commissioner John Swofford on Wednesday. The Tigers who were named to the team are Jill Bakehorn, Ruth Grodsky, Pam Hayden, Jan Kemmerling, Mitzi Kremer, Jennifer Mihalik, Michelle Richardson and Paulette Russell.

Jill Bakehorn was a 15-time All-American, a six-time ACC Champion and a four-time All-ACC selection from 1987-1990. She was the ACC Champion in the 400 medley relay in 1988, 100 and 200 back and 200 IM in 1989 and in the 100 and 200 back in 1990. Bakehorn holds the Clemson pool record in the 100 backstroke. She was an Olympic Trial Qualifier in 1988.

Ruth Grodsky was a six-time All-American while at Clemson, earning the honor in the 200 and 400 medley relays in both 1987 and 1989. In 1988, she was an All-American in the 200 medley relay and 200 breaststroke. She was an All-ACC selection in 1986, 1988 and 1989. Grodsky was an ACC Champion in the 200 IM and the 800 free relay in 1986, 200 breast in 1987, 400 medley relay in 1988 and 100 and 200 breast, 400 IM and 400 medley relay in 1989. She ranks second in Clemson history in the 200 medley relay.

Pam Hayden was a 21-time All-American from 1985-88 and was named the ACC Swimmer of the Year in 1986. Hayden was also a three-time All-ACC selection and a 10-time ACC Champion. She holds Clemson’s record in the 200 fly and is on the Tigers’ all-time top-10 list in the 100, 200 and 500 free, 100 fly, 800 free relay and 400 medley relay. She swam in five events at the 1988 Olympic Trials.

Jan Kemmerling claimed eight All-America titles while at Clemson from 1984-87. She was the 1986 ACC Champion in the 800 free relay and was the 1987 ACC Champion in the 200 IM and 400 free relay. Kemmerling is on the Tigers’ all-time top-10 list in six events (1000 and 1650 free, 200 and 400 IM, 800 free relay and 400 medley relay).

Mitzi Kremer was the 1988 Olympic Bronze Medalist in the 100 free relay and was an Olympic Trial Qualifier in the 200 and 400 freestyle events as well. Kremer was the NCAA Champion in the 200 and 500 freestyle events in 1987 and 1989. She was a 16-time All-American and a five-time ACC Champion from 1987-1989 and was the first female swimmer to be inducted into the Clemson Hall of Fame. Kremer led the Tigers to three straight ACC Championships from 1987-89 and was named the ACC Championship MVP in 1987 and 1989. She holds ACC records in the 100, 200, 400 and 1000 freestyle events and Clemson records in the 50, 100, 200, 400 and 1000 free.

Jennifer Mihalik was an All-American in the 200 backstroke in 1998 and a three-time All-ACC selection in 1997-99. She was the ACC Champion in the 200 back in 1998 and in the 100 and 200 back in 1999. Mihalik holds the conference record in the 200 back and Clemson records in the 100 and 200 back and 400 free relay. She is on Clemson’s all-time top-10 list in the 50, 100 and 200 free.

Michelle Richardson won the silver medal in the 800 free at the 1984 Olympic Games. At Clemson, she earned All-America honors in 1992. Richardson was an All-ACC selection in 1989 and 1992 and was the ACC Champion in the 1650 free and 800 free relay those years. She holds Clemson’s record in the 1650 free and ranks among the top-10 in Clemson history in four events.

Paulette Russell was a five-time All-American, a four-time ACC Champion and a four-time All-ACC selection from 1990-93. She was the ACC Champion in the 500 free in 1991-93 and also claimed the honor in the 200 breast in 1992. Russell holds times in Clemson’s all-time top-10 list in the 500 free, 200 breast and 400 IM.