Caroline Burckle and Kristen Linehan Omli To Be Inducted Into University of Florida Hall of Fame

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Two former All-American swimmers, Caroline Burckle (2005-08) and Kristen Linehan Omli (1988-91), were named to the 2018 UF Athletic Hall of Fame class announced Monday by the University of Florida F Club and Gator Boosters, Inc.

The induction ceremony for the nine-member class is Friday, Nov. 2 at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center.

Caroline Burckle (2005-08):

2008 Honda Award for swimming
2008 NCAA Swimmer of the Year
2008 NCAA 200- and 500-yard free champion
23-time All-American
Five-time SEC individual champion and member of three SEC champion relays
2008 Olympic bronze medalist as member of U.S. 800-meter free relay

Kristen Linehan Omli (1988-91):

Claimed NCAA 100- and 200-yard backstroke titles in 1989 and 1990
Member of NCAA champion 400-medley (1989) and 200-medley (1990) relay teams
13-time All-American
Three-time SEC 100 back champion (1989, ’90, ’91) and two-time SEC 200 back champion (1990, ’91), also part of three SEC champion relay teams

In addition, Caeleb Dressel and Alex McMurtry will be honored as the 2017 Ben Hill Griffin Award Winners, honoring the top male and female student-athlete for the calendar year.

Each year, the F Club Committee selects members to the Hall of Fame, divided into three different categories: Gator Greats, Distinguished Letterwinners and Honorary Letterwinners.

This year’s class includes eight Gator Greats and one Honorary Letterwinner (Richard Giannini).

A Gator Great is a letterwinner who has brought recognition and prominence to the University and themselves by athletic accomplishments as a student-athlete. An Honorary Letterwinner is a coach or athletic official (after retirement) who were not letterwinners or athletes at the University of Florida, yet have rendered outstanding service to the program through personal time, effort, interest.

Below is the full list of the Gators being inducted into the Hall of Fame:

Nekita Beasley – Track/Cross Country (1991-92)
Caroline Burckle – Swimming (2005-08)
Stephanie Freeman Echarte – Soccer (2001-04)
Kristen Linehan Omli – Swimming (1988-91)
Angie McGinnis – Volleyball (2004-07)
Reggie Nelson – Football (2005-06)
Lito Sheppard – Football (1999-01)
Josh Walker – Track & Field (2002-05)

The above press release was posted by Swimming World in conjunction with University of Florida Swimming and Diving. For press releases and advertising inquiries please contact Advertising@SwimmingWorld.com.

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use

Name*

Email*

4 Comments

Oldest

Newest Most Voted

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

Melissa Drehs Masterson

5 years ago

Congratulations Caroline Stilwell Burckle!!!

Vicki Hosmer

5 years ago

So very PROUD of you Kristen!

Al Dodson

5 years ago

Congrats Kristen on being inducted to the Hall of Fame. I’m so proud of you.

Al Dodson

5 years ago

Kristen ~ congrats for your induction into the Hall of fame. I hope everything is great for you and your family.