Jon Harding was a member of two different sport teams at Penn State Behrend, including the inaugural men’s water polo team in 2000. He ranked in the top 5 in all water polo stats when he graduated, including second in career goals (42) in his two years with the program. In swimming and diving, Harding graduated with the top times in the 100 and 200 butterfly events along with the fastest times in the 200 and 400 medley relays, and the 400 free relay. He was an ECAC qualifier in the 100 butterfly in 2001.In swimming and diving, Harding set the school record in the 200 and 100 butterfly in 2000 and then proceeded to break his own records, three and four times respectively. He held the 100 butterfly record with a time of 59.33 for five years. That time still ranks fifth on the top 10 list. Harding’s 200 butterfly record of 2:01.77 stands eighth on the current all-time chart.
For the men’s water polo team, his strength and speed made him a versatile player on the young Lions squad. In his first year with the team, Harding recorded 13 goals and 30 steals. Next season, the senior captain ranked second on the team in goals with 29 and was tied for third with 12 assists. Harding also made 36 steals. His best outing was a five-goal performance with one assist in a 19-5 win over Mercyhurst.
In addition to ranking second in career goals, he was also third in career attempts, third in shooting percentage, fifth in steals and sixth in assists.
Harding is the first men’s water polo player and swimmer in program history to be inducted into the Behrend Hall of Fame.