Sara (Lowe) Lilly, one of the most successful and respected competitors and coaches in the history of synchronized swimming in the United States, has been selected as the head synchronized swimming coach at Texas Woman's University.

"I am thrilled to announce Sara (Lowe) Lilly as the first synchronized swimming coach at Texas Woman's," said Sandee Mott, director of athletics. "She is exactly the leader we were looking for to build a nationally competitive team as she has vast experience at both collegiate and US National team levels.  Although Synchro is new to us at the university, it is not new to Coach Lilly; she is well respected at all levels in the synchronized swimming realm.  This program will certainly enhance Pioneer Athletics."

A two-time national championship coach and two-time USA Synchro Coach of the Year, Lilly spent the 2013-2018 seasons as the head coach at Stanford. During her tenure, the Cardinal captured national titles in 2013 and 2016.

In each of her seasons at the helm of the Stanford program, the Cardinal finished third or higher at the U.S. National Collegiate Championships. Under her tutelage, 33 Cardinal student-athletes earned All-America honors.

Lilly also spent four years as an assistant coach at Stanford prior to assuming head coaching responsibilities.

In addition to her highly successful tenure as the head coach at her alma mater, Lilly was a key component of four consecutive national championship squads as an undergraduate at Stanford. A four-time All-American, Lilly earned Collegiate High Point Athlete each of her four years on The Farm. She won a gold medal in every event she entered and served as captain during her sophomore, junior and senior years.

Lilly was as a four-time member of the USA Synchro National Team and three-time member of the USA Synchro Junior National Team. She was also a member of the 2003 Pan American Team, winning a gold medal, and the 2004 Olympic Team, capturing a bronze medal in Athens.

Lilly was recognized as the United States Synchronized Swimming Athlete of the Year in 2004 and 2007, and in 2008, Lilly was named Stanford Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year and was nominated for the United States Olympic Committee Athlete of the Year award.

For her accolades as a competitor, Lilly was inducted into both the Stanford University and USA Synchro Halls of Fame.

Lilly graduated from Stanford with a degree in communication in 2008 and was appointed a Matteson Fellow. She served as the AAC Athlete Representative on the USOC Athlete Advisory Council and as a member of the Board of Directors for United States Synchronized Swimming, Inc. from 2009-12.

"I am so excited to join the Texas Woman's University family," said Lilly. "I am looking forward to working with all of the amazing people I have met in the athletic department and putting together an elite team that will be a force to be reckoned with on the national stage."

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By Paul Smith
Athletics
psmith16@twu.edu