Jon Howard Svendsen (October 26, 1953 – September 20, 2024) was an American water polo player and swimmer. He was a member of the 1980 US Olympic Team, and earned a Silver Medal in the 1984 Summer Olympics.[1]

Jon Svendsen
Personal information
Full nameJon Howard Svendsen
Born(1953-10-26)26 October 1953
Berkeley, California, U.S.
Died20 September 2024(2024-09-20) (aged 70)
Arizona, U.S.
Medal record
Men's water polo
Representing the  United States
Olympic Games
Silver medal – second place 1984 Los Angeles Men's water polo

A standout for the U.C. Berkeley Bears on three consecutive NCAA title winning water polo teams between 1973 and ‘75, Svendsen was named the Collegiate Player of the Year, Pac-10 Player of the Year and NCAA Tournament MVP in 1975.

He was a three-time All-American in 1973, ‘74 and ‘75, leading Cal State Men's Water Polo to a combined 72-9 record during that span. Svendsen was a regular on the U.S. National Team for a decade, was a member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Team, played at the 1975 and 1983 Pan American Games, and earned a Silver Medal at the 1984 Olympics. Svendsen, renowned for his 98 mph backhand, played in numerous other international water polo tournaments.

Svendsen was a two-time All-American in swimming (1973 and ‘75).

In 1989, Jon Svendsen was inducted into the Cal Athletics Hall of Fame and the USA Water Polo Hall of Fame.[2][3]

Svendsen died in Arizona on September 20, 2024, at the age of 70.[4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Jon Svendsen". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on April 18, 2020. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  2. ^ "Jon Svendsen (1989)". usawaterpolo.org. USA Water Polo. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  3. ^ "Hall of Fame Inductees". usawaterpolo.org. USA Water Polo. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  4. ^ "Jon Howard Svendsen Obituary". Legacy. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
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