Mary Paterson (1974):

Earned four letters in swimming while attending the University of Illinois. Paterson was a dominant butterfly sprinter at Illinois and the Midwest Region. She was a two-time All- American in the 50-yard butterfly in 1975 and 1976. She won multiple Big 10 titles and set numerous pool records throughout the Midwest. She was the 1975, 1976, and 1977 Big Ten champion and record holder in the 50-yard butterfly. Her 50-free record time of 24.46 still stands at the IMPE pool at the University of Illinois. Paterson was dominant in the classroom as well, making 8 semesters on the Deans list, receiving the George Huff Awards for Academics and Graduated with highest honors (Bronze Tablet) with a 4.9 GPA. She was selected by the News Gazette as 1 of 10 top area female athletes of the 1970's..