Farida Osman wins the Tom Hansen Medal for top Cal female athlete!

California Golden Bears swimmer Farida Osman had quite an important 2016-17, not just for herself but for breaking barriers in her home country of Egypt. For her accomplishments this past season, Osman won the Tom Hansen Medal given out to the top Cal male and female athlete (Ryan Murphy won the award for top Cal male athlete).

Although ancient competitive swimming has its origins in Egypt, the Egyptians haven’t put too much of an emphasis on the sport at the Olympic level.

Osman has become the greatest Egyptian female swimmer of her generation. She competed in the 50 meter freestyle and the 100 meter butterfly at the 2016 Rio Olympic games, and set African records at both events. Osman holds a ton of Egyptian records in over a half-dozen swimming events.

Osman finished her Cal career with a school-record in the 50 free (21.32), while ranking third in school history in the 100 free (47.07) and second in the 100 fly (50.05).

Osman won her first national title at the 2017 NCAA championships, with her 100 fly clocking in at 50.05, and she was the anchor leg on two relays (200 free, 200 medley) that helped Cal capture national titles in both events.

Congrats to Osman for capturing the honor of top female Cal athlete in 2016-17!