Rusty Soule

Inducted May 2008

Rusty began swimming as a 13 year old 7th grader from the King Jr. H.S. in Portland and instantly began winning events. He joined the Portland Boys Club team under Harold Paulson and became the dominant swimmer in Maine AAU swimming setting many state records over his brief AAU career and being selected to the Maine AAU all star team for 1971,72, and 73.

As a Portland High School swimmer, Rusty (Russell) dominated Maine high school swimming all 4 years, breaking state records his junior and senior years in 6 individual events (100 free 49.9, 200 free 1:51.1, 400 free 4:06.5, 100 fly 54.1, 100 back 57.4, 200IM 2:10.8 and the 400 free relay. His 400 freestyle record still stands today (not an event held since 1973).

He was a high school New England champion multiple times and New England record setter in the 100 butterfly and 200 freestyle.

He was named one of 8 outstanding Male Swimmers of the Year in 1973 by the New England Swimming Pool Institute for all of New England.

After graduating from college (he did not swim) he married Maine swimming champion Helen Lawler. They currently live in Portland and have a daughter Marguerite and a son Daniel.