The Suburban Aquatic League Athletes Hall of Fame

 

Our Initial Olympic Inductees

David Berkhoff, 1988, 1992 - Backstroke

Rob Cragg, 1976 - Diver

Maddie Crippen, 2000 - Individual Medley

Erica Hansen, 1988, 1992 - Distance Freestyle

Dave Wharton, 1988, 1992 - Individual Medley

Karen LaBerge, 1980 – Individual Medley

 

Congratulations to these Olympians and our first inductees.  We recognize and remember them for their achievement and example.  Their accomplishments are what many present SAL members can aim for in the future. 

 

2005-06 Athletes Hall of Fame inductees 
 

Mike Chorba, UMAC – Still holds one of our SAL records,  distance events HS All-American, State Champion and record holder, UNC star swimmer and Olympic trials qualifier, ACC champion.

Steve Duncheski, UDAC – HS All-American swimmer (IM, sprints), scholar-athlete, LaSalle U swimmer All-A-10 and outstanding swimmer in ’98.

 

2006-07 Athletes Hall of Fame inductee 
 

Steve Hiltabiddle – Former UDAC butterfly ace, Steve Hiltabiddle, proves that sometimes persistence pays big dividends.  At the 2006 WORLD MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIPS, Steve (40-44 age group) placed first in the 50 fly (26.20) and third in the 100 fly (58.85) and was a top finisher in other events as well.  SAL is very proud of Steve, OUR FIRST ALUMNUS TO BECOME A WORLD CHAMPION!  A few of us remember him as a star flyer a long time ago and it’s great to see that he’s still a star.

 

2007-08 Athletes Hall of Fame inductees
 

Kelsey Morrissy – Hatboro Horsham graduate and UDAC swimmer Kelsey still holds two SAL records from ’01 and ’03.  She continues her swimming career as the current captain of the UNC Tarheels team and one of their premier freestylers and breaststrokers.  She has made Olympic qualifying cut times and her UNC bio notes that her UDAC/SAL roots were important in making her into the star she is. 
 

Erin Dunn – A 15-year veteran of SAL, Erin has been inducted into the Bensalem HS athlete’s hall of fame after completing her swimming career as a member of the Xavier (Ohio) University team.  For all four years, Erin was on the Commissioner’s Honor Roll.  She has joined the ranks of the SAL swimmers who have become coaches (Tri-Hampton Y program) and shares her expertise with another generation of swimmers. 
 

Kara Seaton – An All-academic and All-American diver from Bates College (Div III), Kara competed in SAL for Radnor from ’96 to ’01 and was undefeated during her final two seasons.  At Radnor HS, she won 36 of 44 meets and finished in the top 12 twice at States.  Kara continues her education as a third-year medical student at Penn State Hershey.  She shares her skills with RAC divers as a summer coach and, in the winter season, coaches for North Shore Aquatic in Harrisburg.

 

20010-11 Athletes Hall of Fame inductees
 

Alicia Aemiseggar - A career SAL swimmer from Springfield Aquatic, Alicia was a SAC multi-record holder and a regular medalist at Leagues.  As a GA swimmer, she was a 12X Eastern champ, National champ, and national record holder (400 F.R.).  A 12x Nationals athlete, she made the US Nat’l team swimming the 200 & 400 IMs at the University & World Games in Shanghai.  An Olympic trials finalist in the Ims in ‘04 & ‘08, she was 4th in both Ims at the ‘07 World Games.  The 13x Princeton All-American holds 16 records there and 8 Ivy individual records and has parts of 4 relay records.  In ‘10, she was named the Tigers female athlete of the decade.

 

Fran Crippen - Coming to SAL via Plymouth-Whitemarsh AC, Fran moved on to a distinguished career at Germantown Academy, and at U. of VA, he was an 11x All-American & 2x Atlantic Coast Conf. swimmer of the year.  In ‘01, he was a Brisbane, Australia Goodwill Games bronze medalist.  Fran won silvers in the 400 & 1500 m free events at the Pan Am Games in Santo Domingo, Dom. Rep. As a swimmer, Fran will best be remembered  for his long distance open water swims: 10km Silver, ‘06 Pan Pacific Games; ‘07 Gold Pan Am Games in Rio De Janiero; ‘09 World Aquatic Champs Bronze; ‘10 Silver, Pan Pacifics at Irvine, CA. 

Fran was a 6x Nat’l Champ with 2 Nat’l titles: 800m FR, 2x 5km, 2x 10km open water.

In spite of all these accolades, Fran should always be remembered as a friend, as the athlete every coach wants on his team, as the kind of big brother every little kid deserves, as the kind of son parents deserve, as the example who inspires us to be the best we can be. 

The world misses Fran Crippen.  SAL will keep his memory alive right here in our Athletes Hall of Fame.

 

20011-12 Athletes Hall of Fame inductees
 

Jackie Borkowski – SAL has had many high-caliber swimmers in its ranks and proudly recognizes one more of its own.  A star age-grouper for MAC, a Methacton High School standout, and a West Chester NCAA champion, Jackie still swims competitively while coaching at HHAA. She has made the cut for the 50m freestyle 2012 Olympic Trials.  Good Luck.

 

20012-13 Athletes Hall of Fame inductees
 

Karin Bunting McCaul – Karin’s exemplary swimming career that includes NCAA All-American honors, Big 10 championships, Academic All-American honors, and swims in the ’92 and ’96 Olympic Trials is firmly rooted in the SAL. Hall of Famer Bill Moser coached her at NPAC where she set 12&U 100 fr and 100 IM records that stood for 21 yrs. Karin’s 24.59 12&U 50 fr from ’89, is still the league standard and longest standing girls SAL record.  SAL is proud to count Karin among its Hall of Fame members.

 

20014-15 Athletes Hall of Fame inductees

Michelle Konkoly – An alum of Methacton HS and Methacton Aquatic Club, Michelle was set for a bright future as a student-athlete at Georgetown, but that was cut short by a serious accident. Despite a severe spinal cord injury, Michelle got back on her feet and back into the pool. The determination has paid off for her. She is now a member of the US Paralympic swim team, the first SAL athlete to represent our league as such. We are proud to have Michelle as an inspirational example to our athletes.

20016-17 Athletes Hall of Fame inductees

Michelle Konkoly – Michelle Konkoly, who swam with NAAC and MAC is SAL’s first women’s world record holder. Swimming in the S9 classification at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games, her 1:00.91 100 meter freestyle broke an 8 year old record. She also holds the 50 meter freestyle record, 28.24. In all, she won 2 gold, a silver, and a bronze at the games. Michelle overcame serious injuries from a fall to make the games. She is an inspiration to all of us. Medical school is in her future plans.

 

VISIT THE SAL WEBSITE TO VIEW ALL THE COMPLETE HALLS OF FAME FOR LEADERSHIP, COACHING, AND ATHLETICS!