Overview - Campus - History - Rules - Staff - Calendar

State Swimming Champs - 1957

1957 WAS RILEY'S THIRD YEAR IN A ROW TO WIN THE STATE SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS!

The Season

Opening the season with a defeat at the hands of the powerful Culver Military Academy team, 49-28, Riley bounced back to sink their next opponent, Howe Military Academy, 50-27.

Muncie Burris, the tankers next obstacle, gave the squad their hardest struggle on the dual meet schedule They were defeated by 13 points.

The swimmers went through the rest of their season overpowering such opposition as Hammond, 48-29, South Bend Central, 49-28, and Valparaiso, 46.5-30.5. During this display of power, many school records fell. John Buchanan, a freshman, broke the school record in the Breaststroke several times.

At the time of the City Meet, the strength of the squad was reduced by several cases of pneumonia, and they finished second to Central, followed by Adams and Washington. By the next week, many had recovered and the next squad won the Conference Meet with a score of 63. Next was Horace Mann of Gary with 39 points, followed by Adams with 38 points, and Hammond, 34.

They finished the season with a record of 12 winds and 2 losses and the Conference championship.

On February 23, Riley traveled to Purdue University to defend their title as State Champions. The papers had listed the meet as a toss up between Riley and Columbus. The squad was paced by John Buchanan who won the Breaststroke in a record time of 1:05, Denny Floden who won the Backstroke in 1:02.6, a new state record; and John Odusch who took the Individual Medley in a record time of 1:41.4. With only three events left, Riley found themselves trailing by 17 points. John Odusch's victory started to close the gap and the two relay teams then took charge to assure victory for Riley. The Medley Relay team posted a state record of 1:58.7 as did the 200 yard Freestyle Relay team with their time of 1:39.8. The final score read: Riley, 58.5, Columbus, 55.5.

When the swimmers arrived home, they were greeted by a cheering student body. Edward F. Voorde, Mayor of South Bend; Forest Wood, Director of Athletics; and Dr. Jardine, Superintendent of Schools, addressed the students and praised the team for their victory. Coach Fetters introduced his champs and presented the state trophy to the school for display in the trophy case.