Member of 3 PIAA STATE SWIM TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS; Team Captain
Member of 4 PIAA STATE RELAY GOLD MEDALS & 3 STATE RECORDS
1992 PIAA STATE CHAMPION 200 MEDLEY RELAY & STATE RECORD
1992 PIAA STATE CHAMPION 200 FREESTYLE RELAY & STATE RECORD
1991 PIAA STATE CHAMPION 200 FREESTYLE RELAY & STATE RECORD
1991 PIAA STATE CHAMPION 200 MEDLEY RELAY
1992 2nd Place PIAA States 100 Breaststroke
1991 &1992 District 1 1st Place 100 Breaststroke
4 Time NISCA All–American and 7 Time PIAA ALL-STATE
1991 District 1 Outstanding Swimmer Award
1989-1992 Dual Meet Team Record: 55 wins and 0 losses,
3 STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS, 4 District 1 & 4 SOL Team Titles
INDUCTED 2015
North Penn High School, 1992
Between 1989 and 1992 the North Penn Boys Swimming and Diving team won three PIAA State Championships, four District Championships, four Suburban I Championships and went undefeated in dual meet competition. The National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association consistently ranked North Penn among the top programs in the country. The accomplishments of the North Penn Swimming and Diving team during these years reflect the accomplishments, hard work and dedication of many individuals. Among these individuals was John Raeburn, whose talent, leadership and work ethic were an intricate and invaluable part of the team’s success.
In 1989 the future of North Penn Swimming and Diving became very bright as John Raeburn, Kevin Faikish, Matt Krystopa, Chris Lee, Jamie Tang and Derek Williams joined the team as freshmen. These individuals, over the course of four years, would rewrite the North Penn record book and become the foundation of the 1990, 1991 and 1992 PIAA State Championships teams. What was unique about this freshman class was not only their exceptional talent, but also their diversity of talent in covering all the strokes and events within one class. With upperclassmen filling in the gaps in the early years and underclassmen filling in the gaps in the later years, North Penn’s future was golden.
As a freshman, John quickly made an impact in the lineup and became the team’s top breaststroke and sprint freestyler. Over the course of his years at North Penn, John and various combinations of his teammates won four PIAA STATE Relay Gold Medals, set three state relay records and achieved All-American recognition four times. In 1991, the 200 Medley Relay of Kevin Faikish, John Raeburn, Derek Williams and Andrew Serang won a state gold medal. The 200 Freestyle Relay of Scott Walker, John Raeburn, Jerry Gilbert and Matt Krystopa also won a state gold medal, set a PIAA state record, and earned All-American recognition. In 1992, John’s senior year, the 200 Medley Relay of Kevin Faikish, John Raeburn, Derek Williams and Andrew Serang won a state gold medal, set a PIAA state record and earned All-American recognition. The 200 Freestyle Relay of Derek Williams, Andrew Serang, John Raeburn and Matt Krystopa won a state gold medal and earned All-American recognition. In 1991, as a junior, John was recognized as the District I Outstanding Swimmer having won four District I championships in the 50 Freestyle, 100 Breaststroke, 200 Medley Relay and the 200 Freestyle Relay. In 1992, as a senior, John placed second in the 100 Breaststroke at the PIAA State Championships. As a four year state qualifier, John earned PIAA All -State recognition in relays and as an individual seven different times.
In 1992, as seniors, John Raeburn and Derek Williams were selected by their teammates as co-captains. John’s selection as a team captain confirmed what coaches and teammates had seen evolving in John over the previous three years; John embodied the work ethic, dedication and traditions of the North Penn program. Leading by example, John never backed down from a challenge in practice or in competition. John had the unique ability to laugh and joke with his teammates, call out a teammate who was not doing his best, support a teammate in need and in the moment of competition look fearlessly at the challenge. In victory, as well in defeat, John was always humble and held the ideals of his team and sportsmanship above all else.
Twenty- four years later John is the proud parent of a North Penn Swimmer. To this day, when you watch John in the stands at a meet, he embodies the spirit of North Penn Swimming and Diving. The positive attitude, his belief in the team, and his pride in the accomplishments of the team define his character.
John and his wife Kim and son Kyle Supko live in Hatfield, Pa.
