Bowling Green State University Athletics
Hall of Fame
"First Five", The
The "First Five"
- Induction:
- 2025
The ‘First Five’ – women’s swimming standouts Betsy Fisher, Barb McKee, Valerie Newell, Gail Sailer and Becky Siesky – became the first female All-American athletes at BGSU, earning a total of 21 All-America and one Honorable Mention All-America accolades in three individual events and six relay events in 1974 and 1975.
The quintet earned All-America honors at the 1974 AIAW Swimming and Diving National Championships, hosted by Penn State University, then turned in repeat performances at the 1975 AIAW Nationals held at Arizona State. As had been the case in 1974, four of them earned All-America honors in more than one event. These swimmers were also repeat champions in numerous state and regional championships.
At the 1975 Midwest Championships at Central Michigan, the 200-yard freestyle relay team broke the national record, shaving 1.35 seconds off of the previous mark.
Fisher was a five-time All-American in three events, including the 200-yard and 400-yard freestyle relay events in both 1974 and ‘75. She also earned an All-America honor in the 200-yard medley in 1975, swimming the butterfly portion of that race.
McKee also was a five-time All-American in three events, earning the honor in the 100-yard backstroke and the 400-yard freestyle relay in both 1974 and ‘75, while picking up an A-A accolade with the backstroke portion of the 200-yard medley relay in 1975.
Newell was a four-time All-American, earning the honor in both 1974 and ‘75 in the 200-yard and 400-yard freestyle relay.
Sailer was a two-time All-American in the 200-yard freestyle relay in both ‘74 and ‘75.
Siesky was a five-time All-American in three events, including the 200-yard and 400-yard freestyle relay in both 1974 and ‘75. She swam the freestyle portion of the 200-yard medley relay in ‘75.
The BGSU “Swimmin’ Women” won the state championship every year from 1974 through ‘80.
The quintet earned All-America honors at the 1974 AIAW Swimming and Diving National Championships, hosted by Penn State University, then turned in repeat performances at the 1975 AIAW Nationals held at Arizona State. As had been the case in 1974, four of them earned All-America honors in more than one event. These swimmers were also repeat champions in numerous state and regional championships.
At the 1975 Midwest Championships at Central Michigan, the 200-yard freestyle relay team broke the national record, shaving 1.35 seconds off of the previous mark.
Fisher was a five-time All-American in three events, including the 200-yard and 400-yard freestyle relay events in both 1974 and ‘75. She also earned an All-America honor in the 200-yard medley in 1975, swimming the butterfly portion of that race.
McKee also was a five-time All-American in three events, earning the honor in the 100-yard backstroke and the 400-yard freestyle relay in both 1974 and ‘75, while picking up an A-A accolade with the backstroke portion of the 200-yard medley relay in 1975.
Newell was a four-time All-American, earning the honor in both 1974 and ‘75 in the 200-yard and 400-yard freestyle relay.
Sailer was a two-time All-American in the 200-yard freestyle relay in both ‘74 and ‘75.
Siesky was a five-time All-American in three events, including the 200-yard and 400-yard freestyle relay in both 1974 and ‘75. She swam the freestyle portion of the 200-yard medley relay in ‘75.
The BGSU “Swimmin’ Women” won the state championship every year from 1974 through ‘80.
Chris Fox Post-Match Interview (Sept. 21, 2025)
Sunday, September 21
Christie Fransen Post-Match Interview (Sept. 21, 2025)
Sunday, September 21
Lexi White Post-Match Interview (Sept. 21, 2025)
Sunday, September 21
BG Football Postgame 9.20
Saturday, September 20
