David Wharton

American swimmer

David Lee "Dave" Wharton (born May 19, 1969) is an American former competition swimmer, 1988 Olympic silver medalist, and former world record holder in two events. During his competition swimming career, Wharton set world records in both the 200 meter and 400 meter individual medley events.

Wharton was born on May 9, in Abington, Pennsylvania. He was diagnosed with a 50% hearing loss, not long after his birth and began wearing a hearing aid as a toddler. Another Germantown Academy graduate, Trina Radke, also swam in the 1988 Olympics with Wharton. Wharton set Germantown school records in the 500 yard freestyle at 4:22.4, the 200 yard freestyle at 1:38.2, and the 200 yard IM at 1:47.1. While at Germantown, Wharton set National prep school records in the 200 IM and 500 freestyle at the 1986 Eastern Championships.

He achieved his first recognition in international swimming as an 18 year old at the 1987 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in Brisbane, Australia, where he won gold medals in both the 200 and 400 meter individual medley events. He was recognized as the American Swimmer of the Year, together with Janet Evans, by Swimming World Magazine in 1987. At the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, Wharton again competed in the men's 400 meter individual medley, bettering his 1988 Olympic time with a 4:17.26 and finishing fourth overall. He also swam in the men's 200 meter butterfly, advancing to the B Final and posting a time of 2:01.08. During his years at USC, he won three NCAA national championships in the 200 yard individual medley (1988–1990) and four more NCAA championships in the 400 yard individual medley (1988–1991).

Wharton later completed graduate school at The Ohio State University, working as their assistant swim coach. He received a masters’ in sports management, and met Tammy Hunt, a member of the school’s synchro swim team, whom he would later marry. In 1997 Wharton became Natatorium Director and coached swimming at the New Albany High School through at least 2008. In 2001, he worked as Parks and Recreation Director for the New Albany Plain Local Joint Park District, and later worked as the New Albany Aquatics Center director. In 2008, he was inducted into the Bucks County Sports Hall of Fame.