Inductees

Melanie Morgan joined her first swim team at a young age. This team was coached by Larry Petrillo who would also be Melanie’s coach when she reached Gateway high school. Melanie quickly excelled, and by the time she was 10 years old, she was training with the top team in the Pittsburgh area.

Melanie was one of the very few 12-year-olds to qualify for Junior Nationals the premier meet for competitive swimmers under the age of 18.

By the time Melanie reached high school she already had experience on a national level. During her high school career, Melanie won 7 individual WPIAL titles. She won the 50 yard freestyle all four years, and the 100 yard freestyle her sophomore, junior, and senior years. Melanie set WPIAL records in both events which both stood for many years. Melanie’s Record at the Pennsylvania State High School Swim meet was equally as impressive. Her freshman year, Melanie placed third in both the 50 yard freestyle and 100 yard freestyle. She won both events her sophomore, junior, and senior years. Melanie also set Pennsylvania State records in both events. Melanie’s times from 30 years ago would have placed her second at the WPIAL Championships and fourth at the PA State Championships this year. Melanie was an 11 time All-American in high school. Her All American certificate from her junior year in the 100 freestyle is gold in color because she was the fastest high school swimmer in that event in the United States that year. She was featured in Sports Illustrated in the “Faces in the Crowd” section in 1988. Gateway High School created the “Melanie Morgan Award” which is given to one swimmer each year, male or female, who exemplifies dedication and leadership.

Melanie attended and swam for the University Of Florida starting in 1989 & graduated in 1993. At the time, Florida was coached by one of the toughest coaches in the world and Melanie joined a team that had 13 Olympians from all over the world her freshman year. Melanie was a member of the SEC championship team all four years she was at Florida. Melanie is a five time SEC champion. She showed her diversity in swimming by finishing in the top five at the SEC Championship Swim Meet in seven different individual events in freestyle, breaststroke, and butterfly.

While in college, Melanie qualified for the United States National Team and competed at the World University Games where she won gold and silver medals. Melanie’s college career was capped off with a NCAA Division I Championship title in the 4X 100 yard freestyle relay. That
relay team won the NCAA title and broke the NCAA record, the US Open Record, and the American Record. These records stood for 10 years. After college Melanie was recruited to train with one of the first post -collegiate swimming program in the country lead by legendary Coach Jack Nelson in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. During that time, Melanie won two more national titles and one team title representing the Fort Lauderdale Swim Team.

Melanie competed in the United States Olympic Team Trials 3 times; 1988, 1992, and 1996.

Melanie currently works in medical sales. She also coaches for the south Fayette High School and Middle School swim teams. She currently lives in Bridgeville with her husband, Rob, and her two sons, Ryan, and Shawn.