NEW WILMINGTON — Ben Gutmann always saw the big picture.

Now, in terms of Presidents’ Athletic Conference swimming, he’s a part of it.

The Seneca Valley graduate and former standout Westminster College swimmer has been named a member of the PAC’s 60th anniversary all-time swim team.

Gutmann is one of 19 Titan swimmers among the 60 named to the all-time team. Westminster has only been a part of the PAC since 2003.

“The dedication of the coaching staff and (head coach) Rob Klamut in particular are responsible for that,” Gutmann said. “He buys into you and you buy what he’s selling.

“He sits down with each swimmer, individually, every year, learns your goals and who you are as a person. That takes up a tremendous amount of time, but that’s how into the program he is as a coach.”

Gutmann placed as an individual at the WPIAL meets in high school, but blossomed as a swimmer in college. A 2010 Westminster graduate, he was a two-time All-American, two-time first team All-PAC performer and was named conference MVP in 2010.

Gutmann wound up winning the PAC championship in the 100 breast stroke twice and 200 breast stroke once. His time of two minutes, 2.31 seconds in the 200 breast is Westminster’s all-time record. His 100 breast time of 56.86 seconds is second on the Titans’ list and he ranks eighth in the 200 individual medley at 1:57.14.

“One of my goals was to get my name on that record board and I was able to do that,” Gutmann said.

Another one of his goals was to reach the NCAA Division III nationals and get on the podium there.

“Ben listed that as one of his overall goals when he came here as a freshman,” Klamut said. “I was taken aback by that. I told him that was a pretty lofty expectation.

“He didn’t bat an eye. He said that’s where he wanted to be and he got there.”

As a senior, Gutmann placed sixth nationally in the 200 breast stroke.

“Being able to realize that goal is a special memory for me,” Gutmann said. “But when I look back on my career at Westminster, it’s the family atmosphere that I think about.

“Our whole team was like one big family. Those relationships were special.”

Gutmann’s high school coach, Tom Donati, attended Westminster. Gutmann’s younger brother, Dan, followed him there and graduated in 2013.

“Coach Donati thought the school and swim program would be the perfect fit for me and he was right,” Gutmann said.

Klamut remembers Gutmann for his work ethic.

“Some kids are hesitant to write anything on the piece of paper when asked to list their goals,” the coach said. “Ben was motivated by goals. He strived to get there.

“He gave 100 percent in practice every day and never missed a practice. Even when he was student teaching, which takes up a lot of time, if he missed our 6 a.m. practice, he made up for it by practicing at another time.”

Gutmann majored in history and secondary education at Westminster. He was an assistant swim coach under Donati for two years at Upper St. Clair.

Gutmann is now employed in Homer City and works in natural gas production.

“I enjoyed coaching. I’ll get back into it again at some point, at least part-time,” he said.