November 29, 2007

Grove City inducting 3 into Swimming and Diving Hall

GROVE CITY, Pa. -- Grove City College will enshrine three former standouts into its Men’s Swimming and Diving Hall of Fame during its January 19, 2008 meet against Washington and Jefferson.

This year’s inductees are David McClintic '65, Charles Stadler '65 and Keith Bennett '85. Their inclusion brings the total number of Hall of Famers to 36.

David McClintic, Class of 1965
McClintic earned NCAA All-America honors in two events at the inaugural NCAA College Division Championships, which Grove City hosted in 1964. McClintic earned All-America in both the 400 individual medley and as part of Grove City's 400 free relay.

He captured four Penn-Ohio titles during his career, including the 500 freestyle championship in both 1963 and 1964. As a junior, McClintic also helped Grove City's 400 free relay to the Penn-Ohio crown in 1964. As a freshman, he joined fellow inductee Stadler on Grove City's Penn-Ohio champion 400 medley relay team. McClintic then captained the 1964-65 team as a senior.

During his career, Grove City accumulated a 40-5 dual-meet record, including the program's first undefeated season (12-0) in 1961-62. He helped the Wolverines earn four straight Penn-Ohio championships.

He is retired from his position as a vice president for Mellon Bank. McClintic also served as a commander in the U.S. Naval Reserve.

Charles "Chuck" Stadler, Class of 1965
The first Grove City swimmer to break the 1-minute mark in the 100 backstroke, Stadler earned three NCAA All-America citations in 1964. He placed fourth nationally in the 100 backstroke and 10th in the 200 backstroke, receiving All-America status in both races. He also contributed to Grove City's ninth-place 400 medley relay team.

Stadler won six total Penn-Ohio titles during his career, helping Grove City win the conference title in each of his four seasons. He won the 200 backstroke title in 1963 and 1964 while earning runner-up in that race as a senior in 1965. With Stadler swimming the backstroke, Grove City's 400 medley relay team won the Penn-Ohio crown in each of his four seasons.

Along with McClintic, Stadler helped Grove City to a 40-5 record during his career, including a 12-0 mark in 1961-62. He is a retired Lutheran pastor.

Keith Bennett, Class of 1985
Like his two fellow inductees, Bennett helped Grove City to a 12-0 dual-meet record as a freshman. And, like McClintic and Stadler, Bennett helped lead Grove City to one of its most successful four-year runs ever. Grove City accumulated a 42-7 dual-meet record from 1981-85, including the program's first Presidents' Athletic Conference title in 1985.

Bennett capped his career in 1985 by earning NCAA Division III All-America honors in the 400 medley relay. As a senior captain, Bennett won conference titles in the 200 and 400 individual medleys, the 200 breaststroke, the 400 medley relay and the 400 free relay. He earned Grove City's first-ever PAC MVP award that year. An eight-time NCAA qualifier, Bennett graduated with five varsity records.

He graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering and works for General Electric.

The Swimming and Diving Hall of Fame began in 1985 as a means of honoring those athletes who have displayed a level of excellence worthy of such recognition. These individuals have shown commitment to the program and were identified by their teammates and predecessors as outstanding athletes and sportsmen.

A Hall of Fame class is typically inducted every other year.

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