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April 12, 2010

Jason Womack, Texas Media Relations

Former University of Texas swimmer Whitney Hedgepeth has been chosen to be inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.

Hedgepeth, a former individual national champion and MVP while at the Forty Acres, will be part of an  induction class of eight athletes,  including 11-year New Orleans Saints veteran Jim Dombrowski and former NBA great Alonzo Mourning.

"This is just a great honor," Hedgepeth said. "I have a lot of great memories from living in Virginia and swimming there. That's where it all started for me."

As a swimmer at UT from 1991-1994, Hedgepeth excelled in the pool for the Longhorns, earning individual championships in the 200 yard backstroke in 1992 and 1994.

Hedgepeth also totaled 20 All-American honors, and was voted as the swimming team MVP for three straight years.

Following her career at UT, Hedgepeth followed the path of her former swimming coach and Olympic medalist Jill Sterkel by competing in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. Hedgepeth won silver medals in the 100 and 200 yard backstroke and received the illustrious gold medal for her efforts in the 400 yard relay event.

Hedgepeth was inducted into UT's Women's Hall of Honor in 2007, and views her pending Hall of Fame induction as the result of a dedicated and cherished career.

"It's nice to be recognized for the success that you had, but you really do it because you love it," Hedgepeth said. "This is like the icing on the cake."

Hedgepeth will be officially inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame on April 24, 2010, in a ceremony in Portsmouth, Virginia. With her selection, Hedgepeth joins fellow former UT letterwinners Sterkel and Richard Wortham who have received various hall of fame honors this year.