TACOMA, Wash. — Over the next two weeks, GoLutes.com will highlight the six individuals and one team from the PLU Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2023 that will be inducted on March 18 as part of the 32nd induction class. Today's installment features swimming standout Glenn Preston.

Looking for a college with a good academic program in addition to pursuing an athletic scholarship, Glenn Preston followed the advice of his club coach, Dick Hannula, who would compile a legendary resume as head of the Tacoma Swim Team. Hannula suggested that Preston swim for Coach Gary Chase at Pacific Lutheran University.

Preston benefited from that decision in numerous ways, not the least of which was the impact that Coach Chase and his wife, Sharon, had on the young swimmer's life. The couple, says Preston, inspired the student-athletes not only to practice and compete well, but to work hard in the classroom. 

The hard work combined with his talent paid off for Preston, who became the first-ever Pacific Lutheran athlete to earn All-America honors four straight years.

"Thank you, Coach Chase," says Preston, who graduated from PLU in 1976 with a degree in physical education.

An eight-time Northwest Conference champion, including seven in individual events, Preston won four consecutive 1650 freestyle titles between 1973-76. His winning time of 16:54.1 as a junior in 1975 was the first sub 17-minute in conference championship final history. 

He won 500-yard conference crowns during his freshman and senior seasons, and he showed his versatility with a 400 individual medley title in 1974.

His favorite athletic memory at PLU, states Preston, was qualifying for the 1973 NAIA Swimming Championships, in addition to the goal setting and work he put in to achieve that goal.

While competing at Pacific Lutheran, Preston learned that effort is a key to success, and that standing atop the awards podium doesn't always show the value of hard work.

"Just because you didn't place first doesn't mean you didn't give all of your best effort. You still need to put in your daily hard work, or you will end up last. Nothing is achieved without choosing to apply one's all to get there."

Now semi-retired, Preston coaches and teaches swimming at an Anchorage athletic club, The Alaska Club.

Through the Alaska Club, Preston built up a non-competitive youth swim team with the goal of encouraging the boys and girls to participate in a "good lifetime sport."  His team serves as a feeder to one of several competitive age group teams in Anchorage.

Additionally, he is one of the Alaska Club's certified master's level coaches. As with the youth program, Preston hopes to encourage participants to stay active throughout their lives.

Among Preston's favorite non-athletic memories at PLU are art classes and shows, studying in "The Cave," and meeting "my lifelong friend, music major, and future wife, Janna."

Glenn and Janna (Cooley, class of 1975), have a son Ben who is married to Naomi, and a daughter Megan Peacher, who with husband Otis have children Naomi and Milo.

"It is an honor and privilege to again represent the excellent culture of PLU athletes," says Preston. "Go Lutes!"