Joseph M. O’Hara, DVM

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Joseph (Joe) O’Hara is from Kingston, PA where he graduated from Wyoming Valley West High School in 2009. He had a decorated athletic career as a three-sport, twelve-time high school varsity letter winner in Water Polo, Swimming, and Volleyball.

He had an outstanding water polo career where he was named All-American, in addition to being selected as a four-time All-State Water Polo athlete. He was part of the National Junior/Youth Olympic Development Program and Northeast Zone Water Polo Team. He was also part of the United States Naval Academy Tri-State All-Star Team where he was recognized with MVP honors. He was the leading scorer of his high school team all four years. Joe added to his athletic high school achievements with an extraordinary swimming career. He was a Speedo All-American Consideration athlete, National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association (NISCA) Top 16 award winner and All-State honoree, Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) state competitor, and a Pennsylvania High School Swimming Coaches Association (PHSSCA) All-State honoree. In addition to setting multiple pool and school records throughout the Wyoming Valley Conference, Joe was a fifteen-time PIAA District Two swimming medalist (7 gold medals) and a two-time PIAA District 2 (AAA) Male Swimmer of the Year. He also had multiple All-Star and MVP awards throughout his high school career.

Joe excelled in volleyball where he was part of a three-time PIAA District 2 Championship team. He was selected to the Wyoming Valley Conference Volleyball Coaches Association All-Conference Team, while also achieving the “Defensive Specialist of the Year” award his senior season.

Joe was honored with the prestigious Pennsylvania Wendy’s High School Heisman State award, an honor that recognizes and rewards outstanding scholar-athletes who understand that the most import victories not only happen on the field, but in their schools and communities. He beat out over 40,000 other nominees in the country, becoming one of 102 national finalists.

Joe earned a scholarship to continue his swimming career at D-1 Xavier University in Cincinnati where he became an Atlantic 10 swimming champion and earned multiple finalist honors. He completed his collegiate swimming career by setting, or re-setting, six different Xavier University school records. He was a Scholar All-American and graduated Cum Laude with a Biology major and Chemistry minor. He then went on to receive his doctorate degree at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, a part of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA.

Today, Joe resides just outside Charlotte, NC where he is an Emergency Veterinarian at Denver Animal Emergency. He continues his athletic endeavors by playing outdoor volleyball competitively around the Carolinas, and most recently by adding multiple half and full Ironman Triathlons to his resumé.

He credits the love and support of his parents, Jerry and Tracy O’Hara, and sister and fellow Hall of Fame inductee, Katlin O’Hara, for his successful career, not to mention all other family, friends, and coaches who stood in his corner.