Villanova Univeristy Athletics

Rick Girdler swam at Villanova from 1961-65 and was a three-time All-American.  He was inducted to the Varsity Club Hall of Fame as part of the 1982 induction class.  By his senior year with the Wildcats, Girdler was considered to be one of the top freestyle swimmers in the world.  He broke the American 100 meter freestyle record on April 5, 1965 with a time of 53.3 at the AAU European Indoor Championships in Brussels, Belgium.
 
During the 1965 collegiate season Girdler was the Wildcats lone representative at the NCAA Championships, where he finished third in the 100 yard freestyle in 46.8 and was fifth in the 200 yard freestyle with a time of 1:45.4.  Girdler was also the runner-up in the 100 yard freestyle with a time of 46.7 at the AAU meet that season.  He was named the MVP of the Villanova squad in 1965, when he broke three individual school records and was a part of two relays that established new school records.