A record-setting performer in the butterfly for the Grove City College men’s swimming and diving team from 1981 to 1985, Eric Sluss concluded his career as a six-time NCAA Division III All-American.
A graduate of Burrell High School, Sluss qualified for the NCAA Championships in each of his four seasons at Grove City. In 1984, he took sixth in the 100 butterfly, ninth in the 200 butterfly and helped the 400 medley relay to a 12th-place finish, earning All-America honors in all three events at the NCAA Championships in Atlanta.
At the national meet, Sluss set a longstanding Grove City record in the 100 butterfly with a time of 51.09 seconds. He also posted Grove City’s best-ever time in the 200 butterfly, 1:54.87.
His 200 butterfly record stood for 28 seasons while his 100 butterfly time remained tops at Grove City for 25 years.
As a senior, he again earned All-America laurels in those three events. Sluss placed 12th in the 200 butterfly, 13th in the 100 butterfly and 10th in the 400 medley relay at the 1985 NCAA Championships, held again in Atlanta.
He twice earned the team’s Dick Jewell Most Valuable Performer award, given to the Grove City swimmer or diver who scores the most individual points at the NCAA Championships.
Grove City joined the Presidents’ Athletic Conference prior to the 1984-85 academic year. That winter, Sluss swept the butterfly events at the conference championships, helping lead the Wolverines to their first-ever PAC title.
Sluss co-captained the 1984-85 team, which finished 10-2 in dual meets. Grove City compiled a 42-7 dual meet record during Sluss’s career, including a 12-0 mark during his freshman year.
The College inducted Sluss into its Swimming and Diving Hall of Fame in 2004.
He graduated from Grove City in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree in finance.
