Florida State University Athletics
Florida State Athletics Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 2014
Sara Linke came all the way from Walnut Creek, California, to be a part of the Seminole swimming and diving program. Over just three seasons she managed a swimming career that stacks up as one of the best in school history.
Linke arrived at Florida State in 1983 as an accomplished freestyle, butterfly and individual medley competitor. She quickly gained a reputation for fast swims among her teammates and her elegant style in the water was impressive.
Sara was a two-time All-American as a sophomore in 1984 and earned honorable mention All-America status three times during her freshman and sophomore seasons. She set a total of four school records over her first two years at Florida State. Her time of 2:03.36 in the 200 Butterfly in 1983 was a school best. As a sophomore, she set the FSU marks for the 200 Freestyle (1:48.29), 500 Freestyle (4:45.80) and the 1000 Freestyle (10:01.00).
Linke’s records stood the test of time as her freestyle marks were in place for a long time. Her record in the 200 lasted 16 years, the 500 for 26 straight seasons and the 1000 record was in place for 23 years.
She also became the first FSU swimmer to win a U.S. national title with her first place finish in the ’82 long course Senior Nationals.
