# Rod Strachan

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Rodney “Rod” Strachan Strachan in 1976 Personal information Full name Rodney Strachan Nickname "Rod" National team United States Born (1955-10-16) October 16, 1955 (age 70) Santa Monica, California, U.S. Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) Weight 170 lb (77 kg) Sport Sport Swimming Strokes Individual medley Club Anaheim Aquatics and Fullerton Area Swim Team (FAST) [1] College team University of Southern California Coach Tom DeLong (Foothill High) Peter Daland (USC) Medal record Men's swimming Representing the United States Olympic Games 1976 Montreal 400 m medley World Championships (LC) 1973 Belgrade 400 m medley

**Rodney Strachan** (born October 16, 1955) is an American former high school and college competition [swimmer](/source/Swimming_(sport)), 1976 Olympic gold medalist, and physician with a specialization in internal medicine.[2]

Starting at the age of eight, Rod did age group training and competition with the Sammy Lee Swim School on Anaheim's Lincoln Avenue under Swimming Hall of Fame Coach John Urbanchek who swam for and later coached the University of Michigan. When the Sammy Lee Club disbanded in 1967, Rod swam for Anaheim Aquatics under Urbanchek until he left for USC, while swimming additional high school swim practices. He returned to Anaheim Aquatics, after graduating USC, until he retired from swimming.[3] Eventually the Anaheim Club became the Fullerton Anaheim Swim Club, still coached by Urbancheck, and Strachan continued swimming with the club shortly after Olympic trials in June 1976, where he excelled. The club is now known as the Fullerton Aquatics Sports Team.[4]

## High School swimming

Strachan was a standout swimmer and 1973 graduate of [Foothill High School](/source/Foothill_High_School_(Orange_County%2C_California)) in Tustin, California, where he helped his team win three consecutive California Interscholastic Federation Championships from 1971-1973. Ron's Foothill teams featured several championship swimmers that included future Olympic medalists [Bruce](/source/Bruce_Furniss) and [Steve Furniss](/source/Steve_Furniss) who also swam with him at Anaheim Aquatics.[5][6]

At the 1973 CIF Championship in his Senior year, Ron placed second in the 200 Individual Medley, and fifth in the 400 freestyle, helping Foothill High to win the meet. A dominant team, by April of '73, Foothill swimming had won 35 straight dual meets with opponents.[5][7] In the summer of his Senior year, Ron won the 400-meter Individual Medley at Mission Viejo's L.A. Invitational in 4:44.81 against top international competition.[8] His High School Coach Tom DeLong was one of winningest high school coaches in the California Interscholastic Federation, amassing a record of 190-16-1, and winning 14 league championships, and 4 California Interscholastic Federation (State) titles from 1966-1984.[9]

During his Senior Year, against a surprisingly strong field at the CIF Southern Section Relays in Long Beach in April '73, Strachan won as part of 4 man relay teams in butterfly and freestyle, but came in second in his signature IM relays, helping his Foothill Knights team to accumulate the points needed to win the competition in the finals.[10]

## USC swimming

At USC, Strachan swam for Hall of Fame Coach [Peter Daland](/source/Peter_Daland), an outstanding swimming mentor.[11] The Trojans won the NCAA Championship during Strachan's attendance from 1974-1977, and he won his signature medley event in 1976-1977 in record time.[12]

As a college freshman at the NCAA championships in Long Beach in March 1974, he placed second in the 500-yard free, behind teammate and future Olympian John Naber, helping USC win the meet against rivals Tennessee and Indiana.[13][14]

As a Sophomore at 19, at the 1975 NCAA Swimming Championships at Cleveland State, Strachan did well, but finished fourth in the 400-yard Individual Medley with a time of 3:59.05, out of title contention, though USC was well ahead of Indiana and won the Championship meet.[11]

At 20 in the Spring of 1976 as a Junior at USC, he won the NCAA title at Brown University in the 400-meter Individual Medley, with a time of 4:29.15, breaking the standing American record by 1.41 seconds set by fellow USC and Foothill High swim teammate [Steve Furniss](/source/Steve_Furniss). USC defeated Tennessee and all Division 1 competitors to take the championship.[15][2]

At the NCAA Championships in Cleveland on March 25, 1977, as a USC Senior, Strachan won the 400-yard Individual Medley with an NCAA record time of 3:54.76, and though the time was under the existing American record, it was disallowed as the new American record because of a technicality. With a powerful team, that included Steve Furniss and John Naber, USC won the NCAA championship that year.[16][17]

## 1976 Olympic Gold

As a USC Junior at the 1976 Olympic trials in June in Long Beach, he placed first in the 400-meter individual medley while Foothill High and USC swimming teammate Steve Furniss took third.[18]

In the final competition in the [1976 Summer Olympics](/source/1976_Summer_Olympics) in Montreal, Quebec, in July, at the high point of his athletic career, he took the gold medal in the [400-meter individual medley](/source/Swimming_at_the_1976_Summer_Olympics_%E2%80%93_Men's_400_metre_individual_medley) event, while setting a new world record of 4:23.68.[19] For two years, he retained the long course world record in the 400-meter individual medley (4:23.68) which he set in the Olympics from July 1976 to August 1978.[2]

He received a silver medal in the [same event](/source/Swimming_at_the_1973_World_Aquatics_Championships_%E2%80%93_Men's_400_metre_individual_medley) at the [1973 World Aquatics Championships](/source/1973_World_Aquatics_Championships) in Belgrade.[2]

## Medical career

At USC, Strachan earned a 3.96 grade point average as a pre-med student. Strachan was offered a full scholarship to USC medical school and went on to become a successful anesthesiologist in Orange County.[2]

## See also

- [List of Olympic medalists in swimming (men)](/source/List_of_Olympic_medalists_in_swimming_(men))

- [List of World Aquatics Championships medalists in swimming (men)](/source/List_of_World_Aquatics_Championships_medalists_in_swimming_(men))

- [World record progression 400 metres individual medley](/source/World_record_progression_400_metres_individual_medley)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Legendary Coach Jon Urbanchek Loves Coaching and People"](https://socalswimhistory.com/tag/rod-strachan/). ScCal Swim History. June 23, 2017. Retrieved October 7, 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Olympedia_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Olympedia_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Olympedia_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Olympedia_2-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Olympedia_2-4) ["Olympedia, Rod Strachan, Bio"](https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/51579). Retrieved November 24, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Urbanchek_3-0)** ["Strachan, Rod, "Legendary Coach John Urbanchek Loves Coaching and People""](https://socalswimhistory.com/tag/rod-strachan/). June 23, 2017. Retrieved November 7, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** McCormack, Jim, "Stirring Stretch Drive Heat Up American Trials", *Press-Telegram*, Long Beach, California, 18 June 1976, pg. 29

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Gustkey_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Gustkey_5-1) Gustkey, Earl, *The Los Angeles Times*, Los Angeles, California, 12 April 1973, pg. 21

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Foothill High School Aquatics"](https://foothillaquatics.com/boys-waterpolo/boys-water-polo-history/). September 25, 2011. Retrieved October 7, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Arthur, Rick, "Shaw Superb in CIF Swim", *Press-Telegram*, Long Beach, California, 14 April 1973, pg. 36

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** "Eight Local Swimmers Splash Through L.A. Invitational", *The Tustin News*, Tustin, California, 9 August 1973, pg. 16

1. **[^](#cite_ref-DeLong_9-0)** DiGiovanna, Mike, "Making Swimming Fun", *The Los Angeles Times*, Los Angeles, California, 2 May 1984, pg. 67

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Blanchet, David, "Aqua Knights Capture First in Relays", *The Tustin News*, Tustin, California, 1 February 1973, pg. 14

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Trojans_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Trojans_11-1) "Trojans Near Another NCAA Swimming Title", *Press-Telegram*, Long Beach, California, 29 March 1975, pg. 16

1. **[^](#cite_ref-NCAAchamps_12-0)** ["NCAA Division I Championship History by Year"](https://www.ncaa.com/history/swimming-men/d1). Retrieved November 24, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** "USC Swimmers Lead in NCAA's", *Anaheim Bulletin*, Anaheim, California, 29 March 1974, pg. 19

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** "NCAA Trojans Set Pace", *The Tribune*, San Luis Obispo, California, 29 March 1974, gp. 8

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** "Strachen, McKee Shine in Olympic Swim Trials", *The Cincinnati Post*, Cincinnati, Ohio, 18 June 1976, pg. 27

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** "Spitz's Record Falls", *The Los Angeles Times*, Los Angeles, California, 26 March 1977, pg. 19

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** "NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships", *The Press Democrat*, Santa Rosa, California, 27 March 1977, pg. 62

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Culpepper, Donnell, "Swim, Naber on Target", *Press-Telegram*, Long Beach, California, 18 June 1976, pg. 33

1. **[^](#cite_ref-db-olymp-1976SWI_19-0)** ["1976 Olympics – Montreal, Canada – Swimming"](http://www.databaseolympics.com/games/gamessport.htm?g=19&sp=SWI) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20101225022652/http://databaseolympics.com/games/gamessport.htm?g=19&sp=SWI) 2010-12-25 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) – *databaseOlympics.com* (Retrieved on May 2, 2008)

## External links

- [Rod Strachan](https://web.archive.org/web/20161204/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/st/rod-strachan-1.html) at [Olympics at Sports-Reference.com](/source/Sports_Reference#Olympics) (archived)

- [Olympedia Bio, Rod Strachan](https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/51579)

Records Preceded by Zoltán Verrasztó Men's 400-meter individual medley world record-holder (long course) July 25, 1976 – August 4, 1978 Succeeded by Jesse Vassallo

v t e 1976 USA Olympic swimming team Men's Team Jack Babashoff Joe Bottom Mike Bruner Rick Colella Casey Converse Lawrence Dowler Bill Forrester Bruce Furniss Steve Furniss (team captain) Brian Goodell Steve Gregg Bobby Hackett Gary Hall Sr. (team captain) Dan Harrigan Paul Hartloff John Hencken Bob Jackson Charles Keating Tim McKee Jim Montgomery John Naber Doug Northway Peter Rocca Tim Shaw Rod Strachan Matt Vogel Chris Woo Women's Team Shirley Babashoff Melissa Belote Wendy Boglioli Brenda Borgh Lelei Fonoimoana Maryanne Graham Jeanne Haney Janis Hape Kathy Heddy Jennifer Hooker Linda Jezek Nicole Kramer Renee Laravie Renee Magee Marcia Morey Kim Peyton Lauri Siering Miriam Smith Jill Sterkel Karen Thornton Tauna Vandeweghe Wendy Weinberg Donna Lee Wennerstrom Camille Wright Coaches John Bogert Doc Counsilman (men's head coach) Lawrence Dowler Frank Elm Carolyn Finneran Don Gambril George Haines Jim Montrella Jack Nelson (women's head coach) Charlotte Piper Albert Schoenfield

v t e Olympic champions in men's 400 m individual medley 1964: Dick Roth (USA) 1968: Charlie Hickcox (USA) 1972: Gunnar Larsson (SWE) 1976: Rod Strachan (USA) 1980: Aleksandr Sidorenko (URS) 1984: Alex Baumann (CAN) 1988: Tamás Darnyi (HUN) 1992: Tamás Darnyi (HUN) 1996: Tom Dolan (USA) 2000: Tom Dolan (USA) 2004: Michael Phelps (USA) 2008: Michael Phelps (USA) 2012: Ryan Lochte (USA) 2016: Kosuke Hagino (JPN) 2020: Chase Kalisz (USA) 2024: Léon Marchand (FRA)

v t e NCAA Champions in Men's 400 y Individual Medley 1963: Ed Townsend (Yale) 1964: Richard McGeagh (USC) 1965: Carl Robie (Michigan) 1966: Ken Webb (Indiana) 1967: Dick Roth (Stanford) 1968: Bill Utley (Indiana) 1969: Hans Fassnacht (Long Beach State) 1970: Gary Hall Sr. (Indiana) 1971: Gary Hall Sr. (Indiana) 1972: Gary Hall Sr. (Indiana) 1973: Steve Furniss (USC) 1974: Steve Furniss (USC) 1975: Leroy Engstrand (Tennessee) 1976: Rod Strachan (USC) 1977: Rod Strachan (USC) 1978: Brian Goodell (UCLA) 1979: Brian Goodell (UCLA) 1980: Brian Goodell (UCLA) 1981: Jesse Vassallo (Miami (FL)) 1982: Jeff Float (USC) 1983: Ricardo Prado (SMU) 1984: Ricardo Prado (SMU) 1985: Jeff Kostoff (Stanford) 1986: Ricardo Prado (SMU) 1987: Jeff Kostoff (Stanford) 1988: David Wharton (USC) 1989: David Wharton (USC) 1990: David Wharton (USC) 1991: David Wharton (USC) 1992: Jeff Vance (SMU) 1993: Greg Burgess (Florida) 1994: Greg Burgess (Florida) 1995: Tom Dolan (Michigan) 1996: Tom Dolan (Michigan) 1997: Tom Wilkens (Stanford) 1998: Tom Wilkens (Stanford) 1999: Tim Siciliano (Michigan) 2001: Tim Siciliano (Michigan) 2002: Erik Vendt (USC) 2003: Robert Margalis (Georgia) 2005: Ous Mellouli (USC) 2006: Ryan Lochte (Florida) 2007: Alex Vanderkaay (Michigan) 2008: Alex Vanderkaay (Michigan) 2009: Tyler Clary (Michigan) 2010: Tyler Clary (Michigan) 2011: Bill Cregar (Georgia) 2012: Austen Thompson (Arizona) 2013: Chase Kalisz (Georgia) 2014: Chase Kalisz (Georgia) 2015: Will Licon (Texas) 2016: Josh Prenot (California) 2017: Chase Kalisz (Georgia) 2018: Abrahm DeVine (Stanford) 2019: Abrahm DeVine (Stanford) 2020 2021: Bobby Finke (Florida) 2022: Hugo Gonzalez (California) 2023: Léon Marchand (Arizona State)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Rod Strachan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_Strachan) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_Strachan?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.