David Lee WHARTON

Dave Wharton was a butterfly and medley swimmer who competed at the 1988 and 1992 Olympics, winning a silver medal in the 400 IM at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Wharton swam for Southern Cal, where he was Pac-10 Swimmer of the Year for four consecutive years. Wharton competed three times at the Pan Pacific Championships, in 1987, 1989, and 1991, winning four gold medals, and eight medals in all. His golds were in the 200 and 400 IMs in both 1987 and 1989. He set two world records during his career, the 400 IM at the 1987 Pan Pacs, and the 200 IM at the 1989 Pan Pacs, the last record for that event above 2 minutes (2:00.11).

Wharton later attended graduate school at The Ohio State University, where he served as an assistant swim coach. He earned a masters’ degree there in sports management, and met his future wife, Tammy Hunt, a member of the school’s synchro swim team. In 1997 Wharton became Natatorium Director and swim coach of the New Albany (Ohio) High School. In 2001 he took over as Parks and Recreation Director for the New Albany-Plain Local Joint Park District and later also served as director of the New Albany Aquatics Center.