Sara Jimenez Soffa, daughter of Connie and Gary Soffa of New London, was recently inducted into the Ripon College Athletic Hall of Fame.
She made waves during her time at Ripon College, being on the swim team she broke many records including 100 and 200 backstroke, 100 and 200 breaststroke, 200 and 400 individual medley, and the 200, 400 and 800 relays.
Sara was the women’s captain from 1992 to 1994, Ripon College Athlete of the Week in 1993 and 1994 and was named to the Midwest Athletic Conference for Women Academic All-Conference Team.
During her time at Ripon, Sara received the Education Development Program Outstanding Tutor Award in 1994, was elected to the Laurel Society, was a member of the psychology honor society, Psi Chi; and was named to the 1994 edition of “Who’s Who among American Universities and Colleges.
Since graduating from Ripon, Sara went on to earn her doctorate in educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. She has also run nine marathons, including the Boston Marathon in 2000.
Her mother Connie recalls that as a young girl, Sara traveled to Ripon to compete. New London did not offer swimming at that time. Eventually, Sara was one of the original swim team members for New London.
Sara resides in Fitchburg, Wis. and is employed at Edgewood College as Professor of Education in the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership. She is married to Gerardo Jimenez. They have three sons, Isandro, Mateo, and Andres.
Sara still swims with the Swim Masters team in Madison.