Gilbert "Gil" Wishart Inducted May 2001
Gil started competitive
swimming very late. Unlike Lucas
In 1948, Gil
upset Jimmy McClain, probably the most famous American swimmer at
that time. McClain went on to win NCAA and Olympic
championships in 1953 and 1954.
Wishart not only beat McClain, but swam the fastest schoolboy 100 freestyle in the nation that year, in 53.1. That time was also a national high school record. In 1948 Gil went undefeated in the State and New England Championships in the 50 and 100 yard freestyle. He was also New England Boys Club champion in the same events. Finally, in 1948, Gil was named to the High School All-American team.
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