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Actually swam against Fairport in my days at Liverpool in 1976-79, but came across this site. Excellent way to keep in touch, wish Liverpool had the same. Doug Peel...not sure if you remember me but we had many great meets against your teams
Peter Edwards <pedwards@humana.com>
Louisville, Ky -
I just found this site while searching for a place to lap swim and was thrilled to see names from my swimming past. I was an original member of Fairport Swim Club under Coach Tom Brown and swam on the team from the time I was 10 until I graduated from high school in 1976. I also swam at SUNY Oswego and Nazareth College. Like Barb Goyette, I was one of the first members of the FHS girls team and our early experiences on FSC and that high school team paved the way for the success of swimming at Fairport. The sport does indeed build character, discipline, sportsmanship and is a lifelong sport. I am also pleased to see that many of the kids I taught to swim at Fairport went on to swim on the FHS team and at college. Though they may not remember me, I remember Karin Mihal, Angie Blazer, Greg Peel, David Pearce and many others. My parents were also active boosters of the club. My father officiated for years, even after I graduated. The club was incorporated under my parents' address and the annual swim club float for the 4th of July parade was built in my parents' yard for several years in a row. We had a great time during those early years and like Barb, I am still swimming. I am entering a triathlon in August. My three sons were swimmers and the youngest is going to Cornell to dive this fall. I would love to hear from my FSC friends.
Heather McGurn Zollo <zvictorz@msn.com>
Victor, NY USA -
WOW---What a wonderful afternoon I spent. Just found this website. I have to admit that remembering all those years brought a few tears and lots of smiles. I was so lucky to have been a part of Fairport Swimming. It was an honor to have been associated with so many dedicated athletes. I would love to hear from swimmers and if any of you are in the 1000 Island area over the spring-summer--or fall. come see me. When I get back to my home on the St Lawrence (Right now I'm away for a couple of months ) I will look up some swimming stats and send them along. This is a great site and thanks to all who made it possible.
Marilyn Thomas <marnieth3 @ gmnail.com>
Fineview, NY USA -
Oh my goodness! What a surprise to find this. Great work Ed! After swimming for FSC since age 6, then FAST, then high school from 86-89 and MCC...I hardly ever hit the pool. Not hard to avoid here in dry CO, however! I will carry the great memories with me forever, though. A couple of additions to the girls' site - I believe Deborah Bater was a captain in 89, I think that there was an All-American relay somewhere in 88 or 87 (something with myself, Lyons, Blaser ???) and I was a sprint fly/free. I'm going to send this link to all the girls I'm still in touch with!
Karin Mihal (now seaman) <sktcmfamily @ msn.com>
Colorado Springs, CO
Thanks so much for putting this together. It brings back so many memories from 1978-80. I see a few names here of old friends I haven't seen or heard from in years. Anyone remember the Benders' pig roast celebrations? I'm really impressed to see Laura Peel's pool record still standing. I guess we were as good as I remember!
Mary Ann (Fisher) Erickson <maerickson @ alum.mit.edu>
Middleton, MA
Thanks Ed, I really enjoy reminiscing my High School Swimming years. Along with my full time job, I coach a neighborhood summer league swim team, a High School Swim Team and I am a year round coach for Swim Atlanta. I guess swimming will always be in my blood. Good Luck to Fairport.
Fred Eggert <feggert @ sciele.com>
Alpharetta, GA
Nice site! I swam with varsity swimming with FHS for 4 years, from 1974-1977. Marilyn Thomas was our coach. I also dove a few years. My brother Scott Miller swam on the guy's team, ending in 1975. Now, I'm going to sign my daughter, Anna up for FAST! Fairport swimming is great!
Teri Miller <TeriLynnemiller @ Yahoo.com>
Fairport, NY
Ed - What a great site! I couldn't believe the detail and history you've put together. I always look back on my two years on the Fairport HS (81-82) swim team as some of the most formative of my youth. Coach Clark was such a great mentor. Unfortunately, we had to move after my Sophomore year, but his influence stayed with me. Thanks for the tremendous link to the past. Mike Gough
Mike Gough <goughmove @ yahoo.com>
Pembroke Pines, FL
Ed - What a find, this site is fantastic! Fairport swimming and the people involved formed me and many others into (what we hope) are leaders and good examples and teachers for our own kids. This site is a walk down memory lane and a great chance to be reminded of some old acquaintances. I read with interest some of the comments about the impact Gary Clark and Marilyn Thomas had on the swimmers they touched. I am among the many that was impacted for a lifetime by Gary Clark - a man who got many of us to do more than we every believed possible. My three kids swim now and as I watch them I often reflect on the lessons I learned from him (most were painful at the time but remembered with a smile now!) I grew up swimming with Coach Kennedy and watch with pride as he helps this new generation of athletes turn into fine men and women. Go Fairport!
Doug Gordon <doug.gordon @ mapinfo.comn>
Clifton Park, NY
There's a Fairport Swimming & Diving Alumni group on Facebook. Would be great to see everyone there!
Helena Stolka <hstolka @ att.net>
Foster City, CA

Outstanding job! I swam breaststroke JV 78 & 79, and varsity 80 & 81, all great teams. This brought back a lot of great memories, and painful ones such as 10x100's descending! My experiences had me encourage my kids to join athletics, which thankfully they are better than I was! As I describe it to them, my job was just to beat the worst swimmer on the other team in my event!
Jim Castelli <castelli @ castel-associates.com>
Fairport, NY


Ed, thanks for your link to the Tim Jacobs Photo Album. Among the Irondequoit meet photos, he has a photo of the stuffed shark that we adopted as the mascot for the first "Clark's Sharks" team during my freshman year and Gary's first year as swim coach in 1975 - 76. It's good to see that it has a permanent home above the FHS pool.
John Mulhall <jmulhall @ rmlawyer.com>
Boca Raton, FL
Amazing! I treasure the experience and memories that high school swimming gave me. When I found this site, it gave me goosebumps!! I swam under Coach Clark, Mike & Marci from 1992 – 1998, also swam for FAST for many years. Congrats on a wonderful site. And, I would love to see or hear from any of you!!
Allison B. Jones (Jenner) <allison_jenner @ yahoo.com>
Phoenix, AZ
Got out my yearbook, so here goes some information for the 1977-78 season Matt Clark, Don Cropek, Bob Cullen, Tom Goetz, Dave Heacock, Wayne Heacock, Kurt Hebert, Shawn Kelly, Scott Krevetz, Doug Lyles, Tom McLean, Mark McMann captain, Walt Meyers, John Mulhall, Dennis Peck, Doug Peel, Don Pottor, Tim Pullis, Bill Reynolds, Dan Thiry captain, Jim Wilcox, Carol Cropek mgr. As of 2/14, the team was 9 and 2 beating Victor, RL Thomas, Greece Arcadia, Iron., Webster Schroeder, Pittsford Mendon, Eastridge, Brockport, Brighton, and losing to Spencerport 88-84, and RH 89-83. If I remember right, we beat Penfield and lost to Sutherland to end 10 and 3. Hope this helps.
Mark McMann <mark @ ballantynerv.com>
Pittsford, NY
I swam with the varsity team in both 1978 & 1979 but have been left off the roster. I also noticed that Tom McLean has been omitted. Is the team going to do anything special in 2009, the 30 year mark?
Doug Lyles <dougl @ highstream.net>
Jacksonville, FL
I was captain of the 1977 swim team and I have the year book with all the names if you need ... just let me know.. plus our record was much better the 8 and 7....
Mark McMann <mark @ BallantyneRv.com>
Pittsford, NY
Good site!
Aram <amsalehi @ rochester.rr.com>
 
Ed, what a great sight! thanks for all your hard work. I found it when I was Google searching for my Fairport High school Reunion webpage. I graduated from Fairport in 1974. I was lucky enough as a young woman to swim Men's JV/Varsity with Marilyn Thomas and Mr. Shaw. Then compete on the women's Varsity team too with Mrs. Thomas. Swimming was always a family affair, my father and mother, Gordon and Alice Goyette, were Boosters for the club and were on deck timing, officiating and generally helping support Fairport swimming through many years. My younger sisters also swam for Fairport; Nance Goyette Duncan and Carla Walker. I will check my year books for photos of the teams. As many other guests to your sight have mentioned, Fairport swimming helped to develope my strength of character, determination and competitiveness, but also how to be a team player and motivator. I can remember, Coach Thomas asking me to do the 100 butterfly  (I did backstroke and free long distance) because they needed a third swimmer to gain points. I ended up losing a boyfriend because I swam the 100 yard fly against him and out-touched him at the end. I kept hearing Marilyn and my Father yelling finish hard. Thank goodness for title IX. Best wishes for the New Year of 2006. I am still very active in sports; changed over to triathlons, did a stint of ice hockey (wish we had been able to play that sport in '74), last year, learned how to snowboard. I am a traveling nurse working in various parts of the US-enjoying searching out new hiking spots and sports. Barb Goyette Blue
Barbara Goyette Blue <bblue1 @ hotmail.com>
Albuquerque, NM
Excellent source to stir up some old memories. Nice to see responses from all generations as well. Perhaps this site could be the source to organize an alumni event? I think that may attract a nice little following with solid planning.
Erik Schwarz <erik10201983 @ msn.com>
Fairport, NY
Great site! I swam and dove for Tom Brown from 1969 to 1971. We struggled but managed to eke out one Class B championship in the 69/70 season. Keep up the great tradition!
Greg Szeremeta <gsszeremeta @ frontiernet.net>
Fairport, NY
This is a great site, thanks so much for doing it. I swam on the varsity team for four years, graduating in 1982. I then continued swimming for two years before making the leap to rowing... which I still do now, competitively. I'll always be a swimmer at heart though. I'd love to get in touch with my teammates!
Helena Stolka <hstolka @ att.net>
Foster City, CA

Thanks for doing this! Hopefully more people will find it using Google and we can reconnect. I was a tri-captain in 1994 along with Karyn Runkle and Kris Rowe.
Andrea (Budd) Leland <a.leland @ sbcglobal.net>
Shaker Heights, OH


I was one of the three captains in 1976- the year Gary Clark started coaching.
Pierce Edmonds <pierce.edmonds @ tenethealth.com>
Dallas, TX
This is a wonderful site! I was lucky enough to swim for Fairport in 1987 and 1988. It was the most positive influence I had in my life during some tough years. Special thanks to Coach Clark, a true hero and maker of men. I have returned to swimming in adulthood and even coached for 3 years, though I'll never be able to repay my debt to this sport. I salute all of my fellow sharks.
Tyler Earnst <tearnst @ triad.rr.com>
High Point, NC
Hello from a Liverpool Class of '86 swimmer. Great site. It brought back memories of our long rivalry. All in all, you guys were a class act--Hard core competitors in the pool and gentlemen outside of the pool. Take care.
Drew Popovics <gma8962 juno.com>
Endicott, NY
Great site! I have only really appreciated my experiences in Fairport since I have left. Does anybody remember Coach Clark's Stress Day after Christmas?
Scott Osterling <scottmo75 @ yahoo.com>
Clarksville, TN
Ed: this is a great idea ... from what I've heard, former sharks and she sharks are now doctors, nurses, lawyers, FBI agents, fighter pilots, as well as sales and marketing whizzes, business folks, architects, and a fair share of teachers and coaches. I was recently informed of your site by current JV coach Mike Fortner ('82). The swimmers of more recent vintages are leaner and not as tall as what I recall (from the era of the Bobby Cullen, Matt Clark, David Heacock, David Pearce, and Karl Newton), but they all are quite fine folks, harder trainers, and faster. The present and future of Fairport swimming is in good hand, thanks to them and their coaches. I'll search for info from the late 70's and early 80's, and ask my sister (Laura '82) and brother (Greg '90) to do the same.
Doug Peel <doug.peel @ m5fiber.com>
Richmond, VA

The website is great! reminds me of some great times and great teams, great work!
Gavin Stark <Gabbo48 @ aol.com>
Greenville, NC


My mom still has all the newspaper articles from GIRLS swimming 1978 and 1979. I can send them on if you would like for records etc..
Bonnie (Carr) Lyons <blyons @ chw.edu>
Arroyo Grande, CA


Just found this site. Think it's great. I swam on the team in the seventies with Tom Goetz, Doug Peel, Mike Wess...we had a couple records for relays and more. Unfortunately that was a while ago. I would like to contribute to the site. Please let me know who to contact. Does Marilyn Thomas have an email?
Rich Hampson <rhampson @ snet.net>
Clinton, CT


Where are all the GIRLS who swam for Fairport??!
Julie <mdterp93 @ yahoo.com>
Highland Mills, NY

This site provided me with some good information on section 5 and state meet info. It was a help to be able to compare my times with those of a rival swim team. Its nice to see someone care so much about swimming, I wish my swim team (not Fairport) had a site like this.
anonymous
Pittsford, NY


Nice to see someone actively acknowledging the hard work of good swimmers now and from the past. Keep the nice work.
Bob Beaudry <rbeaudry @ rochester.rr.com>
Fairport, NY
Fabulous.
Ryan Conaughty <Boomx299 @ aol.com>
Rochester , NY -
Hello Fairport folks. This is pretty cool stuff and a definite GREAT blast from the past.
Keith Reece <kareece3 @ yahoo.com>
Rockville, MD
Great idea Ed! I hope the website catches on and expands. It be great to catch up with everyone.
Tyger Foster <tygeraf @ yahoo.com>
Buffalo, NY

I swam on FAST from 1987 to 1989 and swam for FHS JV 86-87 and FHS Varsity 88-89 (out with shoulder injury in 87-88). I, too, wasn't the best swimmer in the world but with Coach Clark's help in the pool and the dynasty he built, I was able to earn a scholarship to swim in college at Gannon University. My education and swimming experience eventually helped me get a job with my current employer - the US Army (hoohah). In addition, I made many friends swimming that are still a big part of my life. If it wasn't for FAST, Coach Clark, and swimming, I don't know where I would be or what I would be doing, but I know that I wouldn't have as memorable an experience nor the great job I have now if it wasn't for Fairport and swimming. So it is an honor and a pleasure to see my name up there on your site - thank you. Any plans to expand the site to include e-mail addresses, where we are now, etc? Thanks again:)
Larry Wickens <lawrence.wickens @ aaa.army.mil>
Arlington, VA


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