About the Swimming Program

The Men's Program:

The Elizabethtown College men’s swimming program, founded by Coach John Tulley in 1964, has developed into a consistent winner, both academically and athletically.

In 1994, the Blue Jays placed second at the Middle Atlantic Conference – their best showing in almost 25 years. In 1993, the Jays had a perfect, 17-0 record, setting a College record for wins in a season and becoming Elizabethtown’s first undefeated winter sports team since 1935.

Six Elizabethtown swimmers have earned All-American status, including four during the 1970 season: Robert Sahms, David Anstine, Donald Schaeberle, and James Gingerich. David Parry was Elizabethtown’s first All-America selection in diving, earning the honor at the 1986 NCAA Division III championships. He qualified for the national diving championships three consecutive times.

In 1994, the Blue Jays won eight gold medals at the MAC championships, including three each by Mike Schlotterbeck and Steve Fowler. Both swimmers missed qualifiying for the NCAA Division III National Championship meet by fractions of a second.

Elizabethtown capped off its 9-5 1994-95 season by winning its second MAC Championship ever, and the team finished second at the conference championships in 1996 following a 9-5 record.

The team ran up an 8-7 record in 1996-97, and finished second at the MAC Championships. An amazing nine Blue Jays were named MAC All-Stars.

The Blue Jays broke onto the national scene again in 2000-01, as freshman Casey Moore participated in three events at the NCAA Division III men's national championships, earning All-America honors in the 200 yard freestyle with a tenth place finish. Moore qualified for the NCAA Championships again in 2002 and in 2003, but was left out of the final cut for competition.

The Women's Program:

The Elizabethtown College women’s swimming team has pieced together an outstanding athletic and academic record since achieving varsity status in 1964.

The Blue Jays enjoyed several solid campaigns in their first decade of varsity competition. Janet Harriger coached the Blue Jays to a 9-4 season in 1974-75, capping off a string of six straight winning seasons.

Elizabethtown began to earn regional recognition when Mike Guinivan became coach in 1988. In his first season, he led the team to an 11-2 record – the first of nine winning campaigns and counting under Guinivan.

Individually, during her career, Julie Phillips won three gold medals at MAC championships and qualified for the NCAA Division III championships in 1987 and 1989.

Gretchen Lusch qualified for nationals as a freshman and teamed with Phillips, Anne Malin, and Sharon Ulrich to set a MAC record in the 400-yard freestyle relay. As a sophomore, she won the 1990 MAC 100-yard freestyle title.

Ulrich became the College’s first Academic All-American swimmer when she was named to the GTE first-team in 1989.

The 1995-96 squad plowed its way to a then-record 13 victories, and finished second at the MAC Championships. First-year Jaclyn Zimmerman made her NCAA Division III championship debut that year in the 200 individual medley, 100 breaststroke and 200 breaststroke. She earned First Team All-American status in the 100 and 200 breaststroke. She finished second in the nation in the 100 breaststroke and third in the 200.

In 1996-97, the team finished 11-6 and came in second at the MAC championships. The team also produced six MAC All-Stars. Zimmerman again qualified for the same three events in the 1997 NCAA Division III Championship. She again finished second in the 100 breaststroke and third in the 200 breaststroke, earning two more All-American First team honors.

After finishing second the previous two years, the team captured its first Middle Atlantic Conference championship in 1998, capturing eight first place finishes at the conference meet. The team also finished with a 13-3 record. Zimmerman finished fourth in the 200 breaststroke at the NCAA Division III Championship and second in the 100 breaststroke, again gaining All-America honors.

The team repeated as MAC champions in 1998-99, this time shattering the program win record and winning percentage record by going 15-2. Zimmerman also earned All-America status in the 100 and 200 breaststroke at the NCAA Division III Championships again, and participated in the 200 individual medley. She became the first student-athlete in the history of Elizabethtown College to earn All-America honors in all four years of their collegiate career. 

In 2004, Christina Blaha '04 capped off a career of cosistent, gradual improvement at Etown by provisionally qualifying for the NCAA Division III national championship meet for the first time in the 100 yard breaststroke, although her time in the event did not make the final cut to participate in the NCAA Championship field.