Profiling Hugh Wilder

Hugh Wilder 's father and older brother were competitive swimmers. His first swimming instructor was Yoshi Oyakawa, Olympic champion backstroker and USMS world record holder. Wilder was a four year NCAA All-American swimmer at Denison University. After a 20-plus year break, he discovered Masters swimming in his mid-40s. He trains in Charleston, SC, with Palmetto Masters, coached by Andrew Wunderley, swimming about 20,000 meters per week. He has held masters backstroke world records in three age groups (45-49, 50-54, 55-59). Wilder is a professor of philosophy at the College of Charleston. He has been married to Pana Wilder for over 30 years, and they have two sons.