Indiana University Athletics
Indiana Swimming and Diving Mourns The Loss of Ken Nakasone
10/26/2023 1:31:00 PM | Men's Swimming and Diving, Women's Swimming and Diving
BLOOMINGTON – The Indiana swimming and diving program is mourning following the death of Ken Nakasone this month. He was 82.
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Nakasone swam at IU from 1959-63, earning All-America distinction from each of his final three seasons. He swam the breaststroke leg of IU's third-place 400-yard medley relay in 1962 and placed top-10 in the 100-yard breaststroke each season, peaking at fourth in 1963.
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"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Indiana swimming great Ken Nakasone," IU head swimming coach Ray Looze said. "He will forever be remembered as a tremendous leader, student, and swimmer. Our thoughts are with his family.
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"Our program has an extensive history with Hawai'i. Doc Counsilman and Soichi Sakamoto had a deep friendship over many years, which resulted in numerous high-level Hawai'ian swimmers attending Indiana University. Mahalo."Â
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Nakasone competed at the 1959 Pan American Games, winning a gold medal in the 400-meter medley relay and a silver medal in the 200-meter breaststroke. During his career, he established American records in the 100-meter breaststroke, 200-meter breaststroke and 220-yard breaststroke.
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Nakasone was born and raised in Pu'unene, Hawai'i. He was inducted into the Hawai'i Swimming Hall of Fame in 2005.
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#GoIU
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Nakasone swam at IU from 1959-63, earning All-America distinction from each of his final three seasons. He swam the breaststroke leg of IU's third-place 400-yard medley relay in 1962 and placed top-10 in the 100-yard breaststroke each season, peaking at fourth in 1963.
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"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Indiana swimming great Ken Nakasone," IU head swimming coach Ray Looze said. "He will forever be remembered as a tremendous leader, student, and swimmer. Our thoughts are with his family.
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"Our program has an extensive history with Hawai'i. Doc Counsilman and Soichi Sakamoto had a deep friendship over many years, which resulted in numerous high-level Hawai'ian swimmers attending Indiana University. Mahalo."Â
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Nakasone competed at the 1959 Pan American Games, winning a gold medal in the 400-meter medley relay and a silver medal in the 200-meter breaststroke. During his career, he established American records in the 100-meter breaststroke, 200-meter breaststroke and 220-yard breaststroke.
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Nakasone was born and raised in Pu'unene, Hawai'i. He was inducted into the Hawai'i Swimming Hall of Fame in 2005.
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#GoIU
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Wednesday, August 19
Wednesday, August 19
Wednesday, August 19
Wednesday, August 19