California Institute of Technology

The most decorated swimmer in program history, DeWitt starred not just at Caltech but on a national scale. He won seven individual SCIAC titles, including the 50 and 100 Yard Freestyle three times each, setting five conference and meet records and breaking marks in both his other title swims while leading a pair of relays to third- and fourth-place finishes at the conference meet.  DeWitt went on to claim back-to-back NAIA titles in both the 50 and 100 Free, setting meet records in both as a junior with a 21.88 50 Free and 48.57 100 Free, and led the 400 Medley Relay to a fourth-place finish.  He also placed second in both events at the NCAA Championship, earning All-America status from both associations.  He went on to compete in the 100-meter Freestyle at the 1968 Olympic Trials in Long Beach and was a member of the American record-setting 400 Free Relay team in 1969. Upon graduation, DeWitt held 12 program records simultaneously, the longest of which remained intact for 27 years (both the 50 and 100 Free).  Also named Caltech’s Outstanding Athlete in 1968, he was awarded the Campbell Trophy for sportsmanship, improvement and ability all three years on the Varsity team and captained the squad his final two.  He joined the water polo team as a senior and instantly became an All-SCIAC First Team honoree as a forward, also serving as team captain and winning the Coach’s Cup.  Additionally, DeWitt served as the Editor-in-Chief of the Caltech Big T yearbook, was awarded an Honor Certificate as a senior and became Caltech’s only inductee into the NAIA Hall of Fame in 1977.