Leslie VanWinkle

Class:
Redshirt Senior
Hometown:
Newburgh, IN
High School:
Harrison

Leslie redshirted in 2009-10 season However, she did swim in the FINA World Trials where she finished 11th in the 200M-IM in 2:14.23 and 10th in the 400M-IM where she posted a time of 4:46.25.

Junior: The 2008 BIG EAST Conference Swimmer of the Year, VanWinkle built upon her already impressive swimming career during the 2007-2008 season. At the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials, she represented the Cardinals well on the national stage, swimming the 200- and 400-IM and 100-free events. She went a lifetime best time in the 400-IM and placed 37th in the nation. In the BIG EAST Conference, Leslie laid siege to the record books once again, attaining school records and winning the 200-back, 200-IM, and 400-IM events. She also contributed as a member of the All-Conference and school record-setting 200-Free relay, 400-Free relay, and 800-Free relay that won a BIG EAST title. Leslie was the first female swimmer to attend the NCAA championship meet, representing the Cardinals in the 200-back, 200-free, and 200-IM. She earned the L-Club award as the best female junior athlete at U of L.

Sophomore: As a sophomore, Leslie made Olympic Trials Qualifying times with her swim in the 200-meter Individual Medley at the Swimming National Championships. The native of Evansville, Indiana swam a 2:19.85 LCM to finish 30th overall.Leslie set school records in the 200-IM and the 400-IM as a sophomore. She scored big points for the Cardinals as runnerup in the 200- and 400-IM. Her time in the 400-IM was a NCAA B Cut. She also had a B final appearance in the 200-breast. She was a 2007 US Open participant as well.

Freshman: As a freshman, Leslie made an impact in her first year as a Cardinal when she was one of three Cardinals to be a BIG EAST Champion when she won the 200-IM and set a school record in the process. She set a lifetime best in the first leg of the 800-free relay at the BIG EAST. She added points with a fourth in the 200-free and a 10th place finish in the 200-breast at the conference championship in New York. She set lifetime bests in the 400-IM at the Indiana Invitational and in the 50-free against Illinois.

Prep: She came to U of L from Harrison High School. She was a state champion in the 100-breast in 2002. In 2005, she was second in the 200-IM in the high school state championship. She was a 13-time all-conference, three-time All-State selection, five time All-American and a four-year MVP. She swam for the Newburgh Swim Club for coach Jon Hart.

Personal: She is the daughter of Bob and Debbie Van Winkle. She is majoring in English. She was born March 19, 1987.