Casey Converse
Keith Cawthon Converse (born September 12, 1957) is an American college swimming coach and former competition swimmer. He was one of the United States' pre-eminent distance swimmers during the 1970s, competing at the 1976 Summer Olympics and setting a pair of NCAA records while swimming for the Alabama Crimson Tide swim team at the University of Alabama. On March 26, 1977, while swimming under Crimson Tide head coach Don Gambril, he set an NCAA record and became the first man in swimming history to break the 15-minute barrier in the mile on his way to winning the 1,650-yard freestyle when he clocked 14:57.30 at the NCAA Championships in Cleveland, Ohio.
Personal information | |
---|---|
Full name | Keith Cawthon Converse |
Nickname(s) | "Casey" |
National team | United States |
Born | Topeka, Kansas | September 12, 1957
Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
Weight | 137 lb (62 kg) |
Sport | |
Sport | Swimming |
Strokes | Freestyle |
Club | Mission Viejo Nadadores |
College team | University of Alabama |
He also set the NCAA record in the 1,000-yard freestyle during a dual meet at Auburn University. Prior to his record-shattering performances in 1977, Converse swam as a member of the 1976 U.S. Olympic Team as an 18-year-old, placing ninth in the men's 400-meter freestyle.
He is currently the head women's swimming coach at the Air Force Academy.
References
- The 2011 University of Alabama Swimming and Diving Media Guide
- The 2010 Air Force Academy Athletics Website
External links
- http://www.rolltide.com
- Casey Converse – Air Force Academy coach profile