When Danielle Sullivan turned in a pair of All-America performances at the 1998 NCAA Division III Championships, she ushered in a era of Washington College women’s swimming that would produce 13 All-America swimmers in seven years.
Danielle’s first appearance at a Centennial Conference Championship meet in 1995 saw her win a pair of bronze medals in relay events and three top-six finishes in individual events. As a sophomore in 1996, she was fourth in both the 500 and 200 freestyles, just missing individual medals in each of those events.
At the 1997 Centennial Conference Championships, Danielle won gold in the 1650 freestyle, silver in the 500 freestyle, and bronze in the 200 freestyle. She repeated as the 1650 freestyle champion the following year, swimming the event 14 seconds faster than the previous year, and upped her relay medal career total to nine.
Danielle concluded her collegiate swimming career at the 1998 NCAA Division III Championships, placing 14th in the 1650 freestyle, 16th in the 500 freestyle, and 22nd in the 200 freestyle. Her performances in the 1650 and 500 qualified her for All-America honorable mention in each of those events.
At the time of her graduation, Danielle held the school records in the 100 freestyle, 200 freestyle, and 500 freestyle, and was a part of all five school-record relay teams. She also held the Centennial Conference records in the 500 freestyle, 1000 freestyle, and 1650 freestyle.
Danielle’s athletic accomplishments did not stop in college. She has gone on to enjoy a successful career as professional tri-athlete. Her achievements in that sport include multiple top-five age-group finishes in the Ironman World Championships and a first-place female finish at the 2009 Mooseman Triathlon. She competed in her first triathlon the same year she graduated from Washington College.
Washington College considers it an honor and privilege to induct Danielle J. Sullivan into its Athletic Hall of Fame on this 22nd day of October, 2011.
