Categorized | Featured, Sports, Swimming

Borowski voted school’s ‘Man of the Year’

Steve Borowski (Photo courtesy of Kona Aquatics)

Hawaii 24/7 Staff

Kona Aquatics swim coach Steve Borowski has been honored in his native Illinois for his remarkable career and contributions to the sport.

Borowski this month was inducted into the Chicago High School Hall of Fame. Although he was not able to attend that ceremony, he is planning to attend a November ceremony to celebrate being selected the “Man of the Year” at Weber High School in Chicago.

Borowski graduated from Weber High School in 1965.

Swimming since age 5, Borowski’s high school career included being named captain as well as All-American for both the swimming and water polo teams.

Additionally, Borowski was selected as one of six Chicago student athletes as a Youth Ambassador to the 1964 Summer Olympic Games. He was sponsored and accompanied by Olympian Jesse Owens.

Borowski continued his swimming career at Indiana University and was collegiate All-American in swimming and water polo; NCAA swim champion; and a member of IU’s first and second NCAA championship teams. He completed his BS and MS at IU, and acted as assistant coach under the legendary James “Doc” Counsilman through 1972. Together they coached numerous Olympians, including Mark Spitz.

After moving to Hawaii, Borowski coached at Punahou High School for 13 years where his girls and boys teams amassed 26 state championships and were the winningest teams in the nation.

One of his stand-out swimmers was Chris Woo, the youngest athlete on the 1976 Olympic team. He coached more than 50 High School All- Americans. He was a National Team Coach for eight years, coaching USA teams worldwide.

Borowski continues to coach in Hawaii leading age-group, high school, masters swimmers and triathletes to faster times.

Borowski got himself back into the water, and in 2004, became the fastest swimmer in the world in the over-50 age-group in four events: 50 and 100 Freestyle and 50 and 100 Butterfly.

In 2005, he was inducted into Hawaii’s Swimming Hall of Fame.

— Find out more:
www.hawaiiswim.org/HSHOF/2005Inductees/steve_borowski/steve_borowski.html
www.hawaiiswim.org/team/01konaAquatics.html

2 Responses to “Borowski voted school’s ‘Man of the Year’”

  1. Enock Freire says:

    Beyond all of the well-deserved swimming & coaching accollades, Steve’s a superb human being full of generosity and integrity. Well done, friend! The Big Island is a better place because of you.

  2. Gabriella says:

    Thank you Coach Steve, you have being a blessing to me and for everybody, you well-deserved this award…and I agreed the Big Island is a beeter place because of you… We love you

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