Wheaton College Athletics

Nancy Swider-Peltz is best known for her accomplishments as a four-time Olympic Speed Skater, but she was also an excellent swimmer for the Crusaders during her time at Wheaton. She was the Wheaton varsity and Illinois State Small College record-holder in the 100 and 200-yard breaststroke with times of 1:12.27 and 2:34.79 respectively. In 1981, just a few months after competing in the Winter Games in Lake Placid, Swider-Peltz won State Small College titles and AIAW All-American status in the 50, 100, and 200-yard breaststrokes and All-American honors in the 200 and 400 medley relays.

“Athletics most effectively taught me to compete for my faith as well as sports,” says Swider-Peltz. “We will all be challenged in this very competitive world of ours, and we have to learn to deal with it. I feel that because of my athletics training carries over to making me more able to defend my faith. We won’t learn to be tough in a competitive world if we’re not challenged.”