Olympic hopeful and TWHS 2020 graduate Lillie Nordmann has decided to take a gap year rather than enroll in Stanford University this fall.

“Given the Coronavirus pandemic, and the uncertainty of the upcoming season, I felt like this was the best decision.” Nordmann said. “Hopefully this will allow me a full four years of training and competing for Stanford.”

Stanford University previously announced that no students will be on campus in the fall and that all courses will be online, making Nordmann’s decision not to move to California easier.

In her gap year, Nordmann will take some online courses at Lonestar and train for the Olympic Trials in June, 2021.

Nordmann’s decision was well received by her parents and coaches.

“I am so lucky to have had such a supportive group of people help me through this process,” Nordmann said. “My parents, club coaches, and Stanford coaches really wanted what was best for me, and helped guide me through the decision.”

TWHS varsity swim coach Jeremy applauded her choice.

“I am very excited for Lillie,” Wade said. “ I think her decision to take a gap year is great. At TWHS she focused on excelling in academics and in swim and succeeded at both! Being able to focus more on training leading into the trials will be great for her.”

Nordmann was the All-Greater Houston swimmer of the year for 2020, and holds the state records in the 200-yard freestyle at 1 minute, 43.62 seconds. She won gold in 100-yard butterfly as well, with a 52 second finish.

Individually, Nordmann has three state records: 100 Butterfly, 200 Free and 200 IM (also a state record). She also was a member of two state record relay teams: 200 Medley relay and 400 Free Relay.