Linda Sheeler, now Linda Stinson, was the first great female athlete at Southwest.
She was the first Eagle to win three state championships (the 400-yard freestyle in 1964 and 1965 and the 200 freestyle in 1965) and, to this day, she is one of only three alumni to accomplish that feat.
As a junior, Linda was first team All-City in the 400 freestyle and, as a senior, she was first team All-City in both the 400 freestyle and the freestyle relay. At Miami-Dade Junior College, in the days before Title IX, there was no women's team so she swam with the men. Still, she finished second once and third twice. Linda, the only woman in the state to compete on a junior college varsity team, was only allowed to swim in home meets.
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