Grinnell College Athletics

Katherine Furnish '89, who earned her laurels in the pool as a sprinter, is the most recent graduate in our Hall of Fame. During her tenure at Grinnell, Furnish set school records in individual and relay events seven times. As a rookie Katie propelled the Pioneers to second place in the Midwest Conference by winning the 50 freestyle and placing first with the 200 freestyle and 200 medley relay teams. She also competed at the NCAA Division III national meet, placing 24th in the 50 free. As a sophomore at the loop meet, Furnish repeated as the 50 champion and also won the 100 free. She clocked a 25.02 at the nationals to place ninth and earn honorable mention All-American status. The sprinter's junior season reaped the greatest dividends for her and her teammates as they won the conference championship in front of a large Grinnell crowd. She won an individual title in the 50 free and helped the 200 free and 400 free relays to first place. In the spring, Furnish produced her best results at the nationals by placing fourth in the 50 free with a school-record time of 24.27. She also earned honorable mention All-America honors by clocking a 54.10 to place 10th in the 100 free. As a senior Katie put on a command performance at the league championship, winning the 100 butterfly and the 50 and 100 frees. She garnered her fourth All-America citation with a 10th place finish in the 50 free at the Division III meet. A three-time Grinnell most valuable swimmer, Furnish still holds records in the 50 and 100 free. As a Grinnell senior Furnish received the President's Medal for academic achievement, extra-curricular activity and service to campus and community. After considerable experience as a swimming teacher, Katie is pursuing a master's degree in physical therapy.