VanGorden personified the ideals of a Division III student-athlete. Her excellence and achievement were unparalleled by her teammates and matched only by her dedication and success in the classroom.
A four-time NCAA Championship qualifier, VanGorden was an exceptional sprinter in the pool, displaying record-breaking speed in the breaststroke and individual medley events. She earned the Herons’ Stephanie Christie ’82 Award, Hazel Nettleship Hardy ’65 Award, and Winn-Seeley Award (presented to the outstanding athlete for contributions to many areas of William Smith Athletics).
As a first-year, VanGorden turned in four record-breaking swims, lowering the standards for the 50-yard breaststroke, the 100 IM (a then 15-year-old mark), and the 200 IM (twice). After first breaking the 200 IM record at the state championships, she eclipsed her own mark at the NCAA Championships, turning in a time of 2 minutes, 12.92 seconds to finish 25th in the nation. VanGorden also captured a pair of conference championships during her first season on campus, winning the 200 IM and the 100 butterfly.
As a junior, VanGorden was again a two-time conference champ, placing first in the 100 breaststroke and the 200 IM. At the NCAA Championships that season, she placed seventh in the 100 breaststroke, earning All-America honors, and 12th in the 200 breaststroke, earning honorable mention All-America accolades.
VanGorden capped her career with a state championship in the 100 breaststroke and honorable mention All-America honors for a ninth place finish in that event at the NCAA Championship meet.
VanGorden graduated with William Smith records in the 50 breaststroke (:30.31), 100 breaststroke (1:06.1), and 200 breaststroke (2:26.35), the 100 IM (1:02.47) and 200 IM (2:12.92), all of which still stand.
In the classroom, VanGorden was named to the conference all-academic team three times, while twice earning NYSWCAA All-Academic honors. She was named to the College Swimming Coaches Association of America All-Academic team in 2001 after earning honorable mention in 2000. VanGorden was a member of the Laurel Society and Hai Timiai. She also received the 2002 NYSWCAA Barbara Radef Award, given to a swimmer or diver for distinguished athletic and academic accomplishments.
Originally from Palmyra, N.Y., VanGorden earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology. She later earned a master’s degree in sport and exercise psychology and a doctorate degree in physical education teaching and administration from Springfield College. VanGorden is currently an assistant professor at Bloomsburg University.
