William "Skip" Arbuckle '71

Called “Mr. Freestyle” for his swiftness in the sprints, William “Skip” Arbuckle became Grove City College’s first five-time NCAA College Division All-American.

A product of Erie’s Strong Vincent High School, Arbuckle enriched the swimming and diving team’s fortunes under coach Jim Longnecker from 1967-71.

As a sophomore, Arbuckle earned All-America recognition in the 200-yard freestyle by placing fourth at the NCAA College Division Championships in 1969.

A year later, he attained All-America honors in the 50 and 100 freestyle events. He placed sixth in the 50 and added a 12th-place finish in the 100. Arbuckle repeated as an All-American in two races in 1971, finishing seventh in the 100 and 12th in the 200. He is one of only three Grove City swimmers to earn NCAA All-America designations in three different individual events.

Upon graduation, Arbuckle held Grove City records in the 50, 100, 200 and 500 freestyle races. He also contributed to school-record performances in all five relay events, anchoring the medley relays.

Grove City compiled a 33-10 record in dual meets during his career. The Wolverines also won the Penn-Ohio Championship in his freshman season.

Arbuckle served as a team co-captain as a senior in 1970-71. The Wolverines placed in the top 30 nationally at the College Division Championships in each of his last two seasons.

He earned the College’s Omicron Delta Kappa Sportsman of the Year award in 1971 and also graduated as a Distinguished Air Force ROTC cadet.

Arbuckle earned a bachelor of arts degree in political science. He later received his J.D. from the University of Akron.

The College inducted Arbuckle into its Men’s Swimming and Diving Hall of Fame in 1987.