KURT LANGBORG

1991 INDUCTION TO THE RHODE ISLAND AQUATIC HALL OF FAME

One of Rhode Island’s most competitive swimmers.  As a junior at Cumberland High School, under the coaching of Bruce Calvert, he received Honorable Mention (All-American) in the 100 yard backstroke.  Kurt’s team leadership in his senior year (1977) was outstanding, as he captained Cumberland High to the State Championship, and received the Team’s Most Valuable Swimmer Award.  He was a Journal Bulletin All State swimmer for three (3) years in a row.

            Kurt never lost a dual-meet event during his senior year, and he held seven state records in the 15-18 AAU age group.  Kurt’s Rhode Island high school record of 53.90 for the 100 yard backstroke still stands today.  At the R.I. AAU Senior and Open Championships in 1977 Kurt set records in the 200 I.M., 100 backstroke, 100 breaststroke, 400 I.M., 100 freestyle and the 100 yard butterfly.

            Kurt continued his strong swimming performances at Yale University from 1977-1981, where he is considered one of the best backstroker swimmers in their history.

            Kurt was a three-year recipient of the S. Livingston Mather Award, given annually to the team’s outstanding backstroke swimmer.  Kurt was described by Yale’s Director of Aquatics, Frank Keefe, an Olympic and Pan-American games swimming coach, as “one of the most talented swimmers I have ever coached.”  Keefe also admired Kurt’s dedication, as evidenced by the fact that after breaking his wrist, he continued to swim the entire1980 season with a cast on his arm.

            He set a Yale record in the 200-yard Individual Medley and was team captain in 1980-1981.

            Following his graduation from Yale, Kurt extended his swim talents to high school coaching and led Lincoln High School to two consecutive Division B Championships.