Arthur Highland

Arthur Raymond Highland (December 17, 1911 – March 17, 1995) was an American competition swimmer for Northwestern University, who represented the United States in the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany.

Early life Born on December 17, 1911, in Aurora, Illinois to Andrew and Anna C. Highland, he attended Carl Schurz High School and swam for Chicago's Lake Shore Athletic Club. On January 12, 1930, as an 18-year-old High School student, Highland set a new national interscholastic record in the 100-yard freestyle of 54.2 seconds. Ascending the ranks of competitive freestylers while swimming for the Chicago Athletic Association, Highland placed third at the Central AAU Championships in the 100-yard freestyle in July, 1930.

Northwestern University From 1932-1934, Highland swam for Northwestern University Varsity swim team under Hall of Fame Coach Tom Robinson. A Liberal Arts major, he took varsity letters in three years, and in the 1933-1934 season served as captain of the men's swimming team. He was a Big Ten Champion three times, and a national champion twice. In his College sophomore year in 1932, he won the Big Ten Championship and then the national championship on the 400-yard freestyle relay team.

Highland captured the 1934 AAU championship in the 100 freestyle.

1936 Berlin Olympics

In an unexpected triumph in the July, 1936 Olympic Trials in Warwick, Rhode Island, Highland won the 100-meter freestyle trial final, beating out the national champion Peter Fick, and Arthur Lindegren, who took third.

Highland competed in the semifinals of the 100-meter freestyle, and recorded the eighth-best overall time of 59.4 seconds. In the fast paced, highly competitive world of international competition at the Olympics, Highland's time was 1.8 seconds behind the bronze medalist.

Honors In 1998 he was inducted into the Northwestern University Hall of Fame for his swimming achievements.

Highland died on March 17, 1995 in San Diego, California at the age of 83, and was buried at the Saint Bartholomew Episcopal Church Columbarium.