Harper, Donald De W.
Diving, Gymnastics
b. June 4, 1932, Redwood City, CA
Although diving obviously contains elements of gymnastics, Harper is the only athlete to have won national championships in both sports. At a time when trampoline was part of the standard gymnastics program, Harper won the Pan-American Games trampoline title in 1955. He was also the NCAA trampoline champion in 1956 and 1958.
Representing Ohio State, he won three NCAA diving championships, in the 1-meter springboard in 1958 and in the 3-meter in both 1956 and 1958. He was the AAU outdoor 3-meter springboard champion in 1955, the platform champion in 1961, the indoor 1-meter champion in 1957, and the indoor 3-meter champion in 1956 and 1958. Harper won a silver medal in 1956 Olympic springboard competition.