In 1961, Paul Hornsleth began his career as a Malvern Prep swimmer, competing on the Friars’ Varsity team as a freshman.  Little did he know, some 50 years later, he’d still be a part of that team.

Hornsleth, who led Malvern Prep’s Swimming & Diving Team to 10 Inter-Ac titles, is stepping down- but not away- after more than four decades as Head Coach. He’ll continue to serve the program and work with swimmers on technique and strategy, designing workouts, meet management, and recruiting.  Malvern will conduct a search for a new Head Coach, according to Athletic Director Kurt Ruch.

“It has been a great ride. I have been blessed with the opportunity to have fun, celebrate happiness with so many swimmers and divers, share disappointment together and also be involved with so many outstanding young scholar-athletes and their parents,” Hornsleth said in a letter to parents and swimmers. “This will continue but from a little different vantage point.”

“Paul Hornsleth is Malvern Prep Swimming and Diving,” said Jim Stewart, President of Malvern Prep. “He has had a Hall of Fame career as both an athlete and a coach, displaying tremendous leadership over an amazing five decades in the pool.  He has always stressed the importance of academics and has been very proud that his teams have achieved a combined honors-level grade point average year after year. We could not be more proud of his achievements.”

Hornsleth was a Varsity swimmer at Malvern from 1961-64 and was team MVP in 1962.  He went on to graduate from Villanova University, and was a member of the United States Pentathlon Team while serving in the U.S. Army from 1968-70. He returned to Malvern to coach in 1970-71, and the accolades built from there:

• 10 Inter-Ac titles as head coach

• 4 National Catholic Championships

• Coached 28 individual All-Americans and 17 All-American relay teams

• Coached 5 Olympians who won 3 silver medals

• Coached 3 athletes who competed in the Pan Am Games, winning 1 gold and 2 silver medals

• 3 of his swimmers have won national prep school records

• Coached athletes who went on to capture 17 NCAA Championship Titles

• Coached a swimmer (Tim McKee ‘71) inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame

• Member of the Malvern Prep Hall of Fame and coached 10 current Malvern Prep Hall of Famers

• Received Michael Mayock Distinguished Teacher-Coach Award in 1999

• Received Malvern Loyalty Award in 1991

In 1977, Hornsleth served on the coaching staff of the Middle Atlantic All Star Team and served as Head Coach for the team in 1979 and 1980.  He served as Coaches’ representative to the Executive Board of Middle Atlantic Swimming from 1982 – 1984, the Technical Planning Chairperson (1986 – 1991) and is a member of the House of Delegates of United States Swimming.