Top 3 finishers in Men’s 50 Free, Ian Pickles of Trojan Swim Team, Santo Condorelli and right is Derek Hitchens of Novaquatics.

A Gathering of Olympians and Talented Swimmers

In mid-June, the Fullerton Aquatics Sports Team (FAST) hosted its third annual Jon Urbanchek Invitational at the Janet Evans Swim Complex in Independence Park. The event attracted at least five Olympians, who gathered to watch a talented group of swimmers showcase their skills.

Jon Urbanchek, a legendary swim coach who co-founded FAST in 1964, was celebrated throughout the event. His contributions to the sport earned him induction into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 2009. Urbanchek returned to his roots in Fullerton in 2010 after a distinguished 22-year coaching career at the University of Michigan, where he guided over 40 Olympians. He passed away in May 2024. Among the standout performances was FAST swimmer Santo Condorelli, who clinched the 50-meter freestyle title with an impressive time of 22.13 seconds as part of his training for the upcoming World Championships in Singapore.

The meet also featured awards presented by Olympians, including Janet Evans, the namesake of the facility, as well as Gary Hall Jr. and Kristine Quance-Julian. The competition saw over 250 athletes from more than two dozen teams, resulting in the breaking of seven meet records and one pool record. Many former students and athletes of Urbanchek took part in the event, serving as coaches or volunteers, sharing stories and memories that highlighted Urbanchek’s lasting impact on the swimming community.

For more information about programs at the Janet Evans Swim Complex in Fullerton, including swim lessons, lap swimming and Summer League, contact Lauren Morford at mortord@fastswimming.net or go to http://www.fullertonaquatics.org.

Olympians John Mykkanen, Jason Lezak, and Janet Evans.

FAST swimmers.

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