Parents Spark Hugh Wilder to First of Many World Records

By Emily Sampl

BOULDER, Colorado, January 28. IT'S not every day a swimmer breaks their first world record. And, it's even more special when their parents are there to witness it.

At the 1992 Masters World Championships in Indianapolis, Hugh Wilder broke his first Masters world record in the 100 back (LCM) in the 45-49 age group while swimming in front of his parents, who were in the stands cheering him on, just as they always had.

"My parents were able to attend the meet, and it was just such an honor to have them there. It was really fun," Wilder recalled. "My parents were the typical 'swim parents'- they were at pretty much all of my meets. It was funny because at that point it was like, ‘who would've thought we'd be at another age-group meet'."

That meet was a sign of even greater things to come in Wilder's Masters career. By 2004, he had also added the USMS men's 55-59 50 back (SCY and SCM) and 100 back (SCY) records to his collection. But the 2007 calendar year has proved to be his best yet. In June, Hugh established men's 60-64 world records in the 50 (31.46) and 100 (1:08.77) LCM back. At the South Carolina SCM Championships in November, he claimed both backstroke world records, and would later break each of them a second time.

Staying healthy and injury-free has been a key factor in Wilder's swimming success thus far, along with a flexible career and supportive wife.

"I've been blessed with good health, and I've been injury free, which I am so thankful for. I've got a very supportive wife as well. We met in college and she knew I was a swimmer, so she knew what I was going through," he added.

Wilder currently teaches philosophy at the College of Charleston (S.C.), and his hours allow him to swim before work each morning. Although his job will prevent him from making the voyage to Australia for the World Championships in April, it won't keep him out of the USMS Short Course Nationals in May, where he hopes to build on his performances in 2007.

"I was really pleased with my times over the summer," he stated. "I'd just like to continue that this year and swim well at Nationals."

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