Katherine (KT) Kustritz ‘20, a Health, Exercise & Sport Study major, was awarded Denison’s President’s Medal, the college’s highest student honor.
Denison annually recognizes graduating seniors who have demonstrated exemplary leadership and service to the University through their involvement in student organizations, in co-curricular activities, on Denison’s staff, and as athletes and scholars.
Kustritz’s President’s Medal Citation:
Katherine, our athletic director says that you are poised to leave Denison as the most decorated swimmer in program history. Your coach affirms that you are Denison Women’s Swimming. As a four-year member of the team and now team captain, you have been the foundation upon which our women’s team has grown. When challenges within the team arose, you made a conscious choice to become part of the solution and to help your team experience positive change through transformational leadership. You may be Denison’s greatest female swimmer ever, but your mentors argue that you are rightly considered one of the best in Division III history. With 50 and 100 meter breaststroke times that are the fastest ever recorded in D3, and times in the 200 breaststroke and 200 Individual Medley ranking second all-time, it’s no surprise you currently hold NCAA records in two events (100 breaststroke and 200 medley relay) and most recently qualified to compete for a spot on the United States Olympic Team. And you’ve done all this while achieving the rank of College Swimming & Diving Scholar All-American, providing academic leadership in our Health, Exercise, and Sports Studies program. These are all impressive achievements, but the work of leadership you’ve engaged in on our campus may be even more impressive.
