Clarion Athletics

Jeanne O'Connor, a great swimmer at Clarion University from 1980 to 1984 who competed in the backstroke, butterfly, I.M., and freestyle events, posted accomplishments that were simply amazing. A 28-time career All-American (the maximum possible), she was an 11-time Division II National Champion and a seven-time second place nationals finisher. She helped set nine Division II records and became the first and only swimmer male or female) to earn Div. I All-America honors by placing fourth in her specialty, the 50 backstroke, in 1982. In the PSAC she posted 23 first place finishes out of the maximum 28 swims, an incredible statistic. A Clarion captain her junior and senior years, she qualified for and swam in the 1984 U.S. Olympic Trials in the backstroke.

O’Connor helped the Golden Eagles to four PSAC Titles and four Division II National Championships in as many years, and 1n 1991 was named to the NCAA Division II "All Decade Team" for women's swimming and diving in the 100 backstroke. A native of Trumbull, Connecticut, and a 1984 graduate of Clarion in business management.