Grinnell College Athletics

Sarah Stayer Mills ’06 was a mainstay in the national diving scene during her time at Grinnell and to this day is one of the most highly accomplished Pioneers of all time. She qualified for the NCAA National Championships three years in a row, placing as high as seventh in the 1-meter competition and earning All-American status. A multitime Midwest Conference champion in both the 1- and the 3-meter diving competitions, Mills was also named as an Honorable Mention Academic All-American in 2006.  From the time her Grinnell career began, she was spectacular for the Pioneers, earning her the Freshman Athlete of the Year award. But she never stopped working and improving her diving skills, and finished her career with earning the Grace McIlrath Parker ’11 Memorial Trophy for Outstanding Senior Athlete. This level of consistency was part of what made Mills such a prominent contributor to Grinnell swimming and diving for the length of her career. Following her time in Grinnell, Mills went on to earn both an M.D. and M.Ph. from the University of Texas, always continuing to stay connected to campus by attending reunions, Naples events, and contributing as a donor. After completing her residency in internal medicine in Oregon, she returned to Texas as a fellow in palliative care. Now known for her compassionate work with patients nearing the end of their lives, Mills strives to contribute to the Grinnell community by serving as an example of what success in the pool and in the world can look like.