An international student from Sweden, Per Kersmark was on the mark as a key member on back-to-back, Pasadena City College men's state champion swim teams in 1977 and 1978 under Court of Champions legendary coach Ron Ballatore. As a freshman, he anchored a national best swim by the Lancers in the 400-yard freestyle relay and individually was a JC All-American in six different events. As a sophomore, he was even better, capturing the 200 free state title with a still-standing school record and then national record time of 1:41.08. Also at the '78 state meet, He helped set two other national records in PCC's state title swims in the 400 and 800 freestyle relays. Per scored silver medals in both the 500 freestyle and 200 butterfly. Kersmark went on to swim at the University of Cincinnati.