Connecticut College Athletic Hall of Fame
One of the most accomplished swimmers and record-breakers in Connecticut College history, Sheila Leniart-LaMothe '89 was a four-time New England Championships qualifier and the college’s first swimmer to earn NCAA All-America honors and Academic All-America nomination. A two-time All-New England selection (1988, 1989), the freestyle and butterfly specialist captained the Camel squad as a junior and senior and earned the team’s Most Valuable Swimmer Award all four seasons.
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As a freshman, LaMothe led the 1985-86 Camels to an undefeated (11-0) season as she broke 15 school records. At New Englands, she was fourth in the 200-yard freestyle and sixth in the 50-yard freestyle.
In 1988, LaMothe became the second Connecticut College swimmer to qualify for the NCAA Division III National Championships. She garnered NCAA All-America Honorable Mention in the 200-yard freestyle (12th) and 100-yard freestyle (13th).
As a senior, LaMothe was 18-1 in individual events and again qualified for the NCAA meet. She graduated with 18 individual school records and was on every record-holding relay.
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Since 1996, LaMothe has competed as a masters swimmer and holds the Connecticut 50m freestyle record (age 25-29). She has qualified several times for the U.S. Master and TMCA Masters National Championships.
From 1990-97, she coached an East Hartford (CT) Laurel Swim Club youth team, and she currently volunteers as an editor of the Connecticut Masters newsletter. In 2003, LaMothe received the Connecticut Master’s Swimming Service Award.
