Eric Wentzel, a longtime swim coach in Ohio, passed away on May 26th at the age of 50.
Wentzel had been coaching at Archbishop Alter High School, a Catholic school in Kettering, Ohio for 16 years. During his tenure with the program, the girls’ team won the Greater Catholic League Championship seven times including a five-year run from 2020-2025.
Wentzel had also spent 25 years as a coach at the South YMCA — Key Swimming, a part of the YMCA of Dayton. He took over the Director and Head Coach position in 2006. He also served on the Southwest Ohio YMCA Swim League Executive Committee as the Hall of Fame coordinator.
He swam collegiately at Wright State University, where he graduated with his Bachelor’s degree in Humanities and Business.
He is survived by his wife Jennifer and his daughters Hannah, Charlie, and Claire. Hannah and Charlie were both swimmers, but Hannah is the only one who still swims. Charlie last swam in March of 2020 when she was 11 while Hannah’s last meet was just over a week ago on May 20, 2026.
Hannah just wrapped up her sophomore season at the University of Toledo, where she finished 20th in the 100 backstroke (55.80) at the Mid-American Conference Championships.
Wentzel’s family set up a scholarship fund for swimmers, which is receiving donations here.
Condolences to Coach Wentzel’s family and friends.
He welcomed everyone on his team. This is a tough loss for the community
Wow. 50 is so young to pass away. Very tragic for a man who has apparently touched many lives.
So young and his poor kids and wife. How sad.