Hall of Fame
Kim Nelson, a native of Bethayres, was an All-American swimmer for the Lady Raiders. In her freshman season in 1975, Nelson, a sprint freestyler, helped Shippensburg take second place behind Princeton in the Eastern AIAW championship. The Lady Raiders defeated Penn State and Rutgers at that meet.
In 1976 she anchored four relays at the Eastern AIAW championships, helping Shippensburg place ninth in the team standings. Then in 1977 and 1978 she was place winner in the 50 and 100 yard freestyle races at the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference championships. She also anchored Shippensburg’s 200 and 400 medley relay teams and 200 freestyle relay teams, which placed in those meets. The Lady Raiders finished the second in team standings at the PSAC meet in 1977 and fourth in 1978.
In national competition Nelson anchored Shippensburg’s 200 freestyle and 200 medley relay teams which earned All-American honors in 1977. The 200 freestyle relay team set a school record of 1:42.34. She was on those same two relays in 1978 and earned All-American honors again that year.
During her four seasons at Shippensburg, the Lady Raiders compiled a dual meet record of 36-6, including victories over the University of Maryland her junior and senior years.
Since graduation Nelson has worked for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In the past she was active with the Junior League of Harrisburg and the Greater Harrisburg Arts Festival. She was coordinator of the Women’s Legislative Exchange Conference. Nelson also served as a volunteer with the Girl Scouts of America. She also was special assistant with the Department of Environmental Protection.
