The greatest SMU athlete ever?

[mrydel]

Jerry Heidenreich, George Hardie and Steve Lundquist, each a four year All-American in their respective sports. Jerry and Steve have more than 5 Olympic Gold Metals between them. Would have been more if ole Jimbo Carter hadn't cancelled the USA participation in the 1980 Moscow Games because of Afghanistan.

If not for Spitz, strangers would know how to spell Jerry's last name today.

[ponyboy]

Steve Lundquist was amazing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYH2jYXv5nQ

[ojaipony]

Forgot all about Lundquist. Yeah, he has to be in the conversation.

[Stallion]

Jerry Heidenreich, George Hardie and Steve Lundquist, each a four year All-American in their respective sports. Jerry and Steve have more than 5 Olympic Gold Metals between them. Would have been more if ole Jimbo Carter hadn't cancelled the USA participation in the 1980 Moscow Games because of Afghanistan.

If not for Spitz, strangers would know how to spell Jerry's last name today.

I actually knew Jerry Heidenerich as a kid. My oldest brother swam on his high school relay team at Hillcrest High School and I can remember him hanging around the house. They were close friends

[max the wonder dog]

Along the lines of Michael Carter is Louie Kelcher -- All American, All Pro, SWC Defensive Player of the Year. Outstanding shot putter, but not at the Michael Carter level as I recall.

[mrydel]

Shot put would look like a marble in Kelcher's hands.

[PSCA]

I know we (human nature) have a tendency to gravitate to the mainstream sports when the this subject comes up... and I guess in part it depends on how you define athlete and/or your criteria. Do they have to have gone on to the professional or equivalent level to be considered? ... But

1) I was also going to list some of SMU's past swimming greats
2) Certainly Payne Stewart ranks up there for his accomplishments ... maybe more post SMU
3) Kyle Rote
4) Like him or not, Craig James was a gifted all around athlete
5) Chuck Hixson was not bad

certainly many deserving guys ... and to be fair ladies. M-Hunt maybe on the list of athletes with the most athleticism ... not sure his accomplishments to date put him the "Best Ever". There have been a few guys in the last few years that would go on the "Most Athleticism List" or all-around athlete based on overall accomplishments in many sports, so of those names might surprise you. The old "put a bat, ball, racket, club, skies etc" in their hands or feet and watch what happens.

[Water Pony]

Jerry Heidenreich, George Hardie and Steve Lundquist, each a four year All-American in their respective sports. Jerry and Steve have more than 5 Olympic Gold Metals between them. Would have been more if ole Jimbo Carter hadn't cancelled the USA participation in the 1980 Moscow Games because of Afghanistan.

If not for Spitz, strangers would know how to spell Jerry's last name today.

I actually knew Jerry Heidenerich as a kid. My oldest brother swam on his high school relay team at Hillcrest High School and I can remember him hanging around the house. They were close friends

Jerry Heidenerich was a force of nature and the most natural athlete/swimmer I ever saw. Only a fraction of a second behind Mark Spitz in the early 70's, Jerry was one of the top swimmers in the world.

[smustatesman]

Shot put would look like a marble in Kelcher's hands.

Louie sat directly behind me in a geology lecture class.....I've never seen as big a head or hands on a person in my life. Sophomore year The Yale Apts. housed many male athletes. I roomed with Woody Blocher and Art Widen......next door was Jerry Heidenreich, Paul Tietze, Richard Bonney and Steve Griffith, and Cal Loock. We had some parties !!!

Just remembered... Cal's sister Christine is the only/first female to win a Varsity Letter in the (at the time) all male SWC, Sullivan Award Finalist 1974, Top American Female Athlete of the Year 1973 - 1974. That's a great athlete !

[BaldingBear]

Kato Armstrong
hands down

[malonish]

Ponyte for the great blocks.

[mrydel]

Hush

[LakeHighlandsPony]

I remember Roy " Robot" Martin from high school. He was a legend.

[ponyboy]

Kato Armstrong
hands down

Thought you were going to say Singletary

[malonish]

Legendary linebacker Mark Rydel.