Gary Chelosky
Personal information | |
---|---|
Born | Wilmington, Delaware, U.S. | November 2, 1951
Died | January 23, 2019 | (aged 67)
Alma mater | University of Florida |
Years active | c. 1959–c. 1977 |
Sport | |
Sport | Swimming |
College team | Florida Gators |
John "Gary" Chelosky (November 2, 1951 – January 23, 2019) was an American competitive swimmer. He was inducted into the Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame in 2024.
Biography
[edit]Chelosky was born on November 2, 1951, in Wilmington, Delaware.[1] He began swimming competitively at an early age and was successful at Delaware Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) tournaments in the early 1960s.[2][3] He repeatedly won Delaware youth championships and in 1962 set the national record in the 10-and-under category for the 50-yard breaststroke, having a time of 36 seconds.[4] He was the first person from Delaware to hold a national swimming record.[5]
Later, Chelosky attended Salesianum School in Wilmington where he remained a successful swimmer, after having spent time away from the sport due to injury.[5][6] In his senior year of high school, he set records while winning all three events at the state swimming championships in 1969 and then won all four events at the state A
Chelosky attended the University of Florida and was a member of the Florida Gators swimming and diving program.[7] He won the Southeastern Conference title in 1971 and 1972 in the 200-yard breaststroke and also won the 100-yard breaststroke title in 1972.[7] He held Gator records in three events and was named the school's athlete of the year as a sophomore in 1971.[7][8] He was named an All-American in all four seasons he competed at the school.[7][9]
Chelosky also competed for the United States at the 1971 Pan American Games in Cali, Colombia.[7] He was a finalist for selection to the 1972 Summer Olympics.[7] He continued swimming after his collegiate career and won the 100-yard breaststroke masters championship in the 25-29 age category in 1977.[7] He later was a coach at a local YMCA.[10]
Chelosky was married and had a daughter.[1] He died on January 23, 2019, at the age of 67.[1] He was posthumously selected for induction into the Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame in 2024.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "John "Gary" Chelosky Obituary". DeGusipe Funeral Home. January 23, 2019.
- ^ "Three Records Set In State Swim Meet". The Morning News. December 28, 1959. p. 23 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Gary Chelosky Wins 3 Swimming Firsts". Times Leader. August 12, 1961. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Former Plymouth Boy Holds Swim Records". Times Leader. August 9, 1962. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d Holveck, Brandon (March 13, 2024). "Power lifter, Phillie Phanatic, sportswriter among Delaware Sports Hall of Fame 2024 class". The News Journal.
- ^ Katzman, Izzy (December 29, 1966). "Collegians Missing in State Swim". The Evening Journal. p. 31 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "2024 HOF Inductees". Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame. March 11, 2024.
- ^ "Swimmer Named Gator Athlete Of Year". The Tampa Tribune. June 10, 1971. p. 62, 65 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Chelosky Eyes 4th All-America Citation". The Evening Journal. February 13, 1973. p. 19 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Zabitka, Matt (April 19, 1979). "Bottom Lines". The Evening Journal. p. 26 – via Newspapers.com.