Danielle Galyer Day: Kentucky’s Trailblazing Swimming Champion
Kentucky’s First & Only NCAA Swimming Champion
Danielle Galyer Day (2014–17) made history as the first and only Wildcat swimmer to win an NCAA title, dominating the 200-yard backstroke (1:49.71) in 2016. This time that still ranks:
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6th-fastest in American history
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Kentucky’s school record (2nd-fastest ever in SEC history at the time)
Unmatched Career Achievements
🏆 2016 NCAA Champion (200 Back) – Kentucky’s first swimming national title
🏊 4× First-Team All-American | 4× NCAA Qualifier
🥇 2015 SEC Champion (200 Back)
📚 2× Elite 90 Award Winner (2016, 2017) – Highest GPA at NCAA Championships
🎓 2× SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year (2015, 2016)
📝 2× CoSIDA Academic All-American (First Team)
Legacy in the Pool & Classroom
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Still ranks #2 all-time at UK in both 100 Back & 200 Back
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2015-16 U.S. National Team member
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Perfect blend of elite athletics & academics – Set the standard for future Wildcats
“A champion who redefined what was possible for Kentucky swimming—both in the water and beyond.”