The Post-Journal

Swanson To Enter Wake HOF

Sherman CS Grad Will Be Inducted In Nov.

 

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - One of the finest athletes to come out of Chautauqua County will receive Wake Forest University's highest athletic honor later this fall.

Nolan Swanson still maintains three Wake Forest records in the 3,000 meters, the 10,000 and the 3,000 steeplechase.
Nolan Swanson still maintains three Wake Forest records in the 3,000 meters, the 10,000 and the 3,000 steeplechase.
Photo courtesy of Wake
Forest

Sherman native and track star Nolan Swanson is one of five people who will be inducted into the Demon Deacons' Sports Hall of Fame on Nov. 19. A day later, the class will be introduced at halftime of Wake Forest's football game with Clemson at BB&T Field.

The other inductees are former NFL players Gerald Huth, Bob Grant and George Coghill and former tennis coach, the late Jim Leighton, bringing the membership to the Wake Forest Hall of Fame to 125.

Despite an outstanding track and cross country career at Sherman Central School, Swanson arrived in Winston-Salem in the fall of 1994 as a walk-on. But it didn't take him long to leave his mark as he won the Atlantic Coast Conference cross country championship that same year and went on to have similar success in track and field the remainder of his career.

Following are some of his most notable accomplishments:

Won two events at the ACC indoor championships (the 5,000 meters in 1997 and the 3,000 meters in 1999) and four outdoor championship events (the 5,000 meters and the steeplechase in both 1998 and 1999), making him a six-time ACC track event champion.

Recognized as the Most Outstanding Performer at the 1999 ACC Outdoor Track & Field Championship and was named team MVP that same season.

Named to the All-ACC indoor team in 1997 and 1998, as well as the All-ACC outdoor team in 1998 and 1999.

Set the ACC record in the 10,000 meters his senior year with a time of 28:31.51, a record that still holds today.

Still maintains three Wake Forest all-time records in the 3,000 meters, the 10,000 meters and the 3,000- meter steeplechase.

The recipient of the Arnold Palmer Award in 1998 and selection to the ACC's 50th anniversary cross country team.

As a professional, qualified for the 2004 IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Brussels and also placed sixth in the men's open division of the 12,000 meters at the USA Cross Country Championships.

Swanson, who resides in Westfield with his wife Amy and their three sons, is the co-owner with his brother Ryan of Pinehurst Golf Club. A 2003 Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame inductee, Swanson is the son of Mr. & Mrs. Mel Swanson of Sherman.


The additional financial assistance of the community is critical to the success of the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame.
We gratefully acknowledge these individuals and organizations for their generous support.