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Gilbert "Gil" Wishart

Inducted May 2001

 

Gil started competitive swimming very late.  Unlike Lucas and Sellick, Gil did not come up through the ranks of the Portland Boys Club under Harold Paulson. 

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.  The Wishart-McClain showdown came in a dual meet between Portland High School and Andover Academy. 

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.