SwimSwam’s condolences go out to the Shiffler family, the Hempfield Area High School swimming family, and the whole community for the loss of a friend, loved one, and leader.
Judson Shiffler, the captain of the Hempfield Area High School swim team, died Tuesday from injuries suffered in a car accident.
While driving after swim practice at 9:30AM on Monday morning, Shiffler’s car drove straight through a T-shaped intersection which sent the vehicle through a road sign and 15 feet up a hillside, according to triblive.com. The death was ruled an accident by the medical examiner.
Shiffler is the defending Pennsylvanis WPIAL state champion in the 50 free and qualified for the B-Final in the same event at last year’s Pennsylvania AAA State Championship meet in the same event. After winning the WPIAL title, Shiffler’s quote to a reporter was a perfect encapsulation of the sport, and a good representation of the kind of leader that Shiffler was:
“Sometimes it’s just luck. You just keep practicing until every time you get everything perfect, because if you get one bad start or one bad turn, the race is over.”
Shiffler was signed to receive an athletic scholarship at Division II Westchester University. He was also one of the administrators of the @iswimwithissues Twitter account.
Update: A previous version of this article said that Shiffler was going to swim at Penn State.
Sincerest heartfelt sympathies to the Shiffler family and to the entire Hempfield community on the loss of their son Judson. When one swim team loses a brother, we all do.
So very heartbroken to hear this tragic news. No words can heal the pain or ease the sorrow but we will pray for god to give Judson’s family strength and peace through this time of unbearable grief.
More than his great talent, he was a super leader and best guy ever to his teammates!
Our thoughts and prayers are with Judson’s family, friends and teammates during this difficult time.
-Eagle Swim Team and McDonogh School
He was signed to swim at Weschester with an athletic scholarship.