Track & Field, Class of 2004
According to track and field historians there may not have been a better hurdler during his time than Santa Ana College’s Bill Swisshelm.
In 1955, Swisshelm led John Wards’ Dons to the men’s state track and field title edging out the strong teams from Los Angeles Harbor College and Mt. San Antonio College.
During the 1955 season, Swisshelm set one individual national record and tied another as a member of the 480 yard shuttle hurdle relay. Swisshelm’s new national record came in the 220 low hurdles winning the event in 23.1 seconds breaking the previous mark of 23.2.
Swisshelm was also a part of the Santa Ana College 480 yard shuttle hurdle relay team, that included Charlie Neal, Mike Trainor and John Winter, that tied the national record of 56.9 seconds. The records were set during the 1955 Easter Relays held at Santa Ana College.
Following the 1955 season Swisshelm transferred to USC where he competed in track & field.