The Berks County Aquatic Hall of Fame will induct seven new members on Saturday, May 12th, bringing their total count to 127 members. This is their 16th induction ceremony, and it will be at 4:30 pm at Berkshire Country Club. Berks County is located in Pennsylvania.
The seven set to be inducted will be:
- Gretchen Bausher Coonrad
- Jason Ciesienski
- Tom Gilbert
- Joe Nawoczenski
- Ryan Phillips
- Ben Robinson
- Matt Weiser
Below, via Readingeagle.com, check out some of the accolades of each of the inductees:
Gretchen Bausher Coonrad: Wilson Class of 1992. Central Penn League and District 3 champion and state medalist. All-state selection in 1991. Eleven YMCA state titles and numerous top eight finishes at YMCA nationals. Three-time Ron Regar River Swim champion. Four-year scholarship swimmer and student coach at Penn State.
Jason Ciesienski: Reading High Class of 1998. PIAA champion in the 50 free in 1998. NISCA All-American. PIAA silver medalist in the 50 free and 100 free in 1997. Two-time District 3 champion in the 50 free, breaking district and Berks records in 1997 in the 50 free and 100 free.
Tom Gilbert: Conrad Weiser Class of 2003. PIAA state champion in the 200 IM and 100 back and PIAA Class 2A Male Swimmer of the Year and NISCA All-American in 2003. Two-time District 3 champion in the backstroke. Won 13 Patriot League medals while swimming for Lehigh University, setting four school records.
Joe Nawoczenski: Holy Name Class of 1971. BCSA champion and record holder in the 100 breast. Two-time YMCA National Masters Swim Championship and 15-year participant in the Ron Regar River Swim. Reading Railroaders YMCA Masters Swim Team member for more than 30 years, serving as president, treasurer and meet director.
Ryan Phillips: Gov. Mifflin Class of 1995: Three-time All-American and two-time all-state team in swimming and two-time All-American and three-time all-state team in water polo. Two-time PSAC champion in swimming at Slippery Rock. Two-time All-American, CWPA All-Conference team and NCAA Player of the Year in water polo in 1998.
Ben Robinson: Wilson Class of 2001. District 3 and PIAA state champion in 500 free and captain of Bulldogs state championship team in 2001. Two-time All-Berks selection. Two-time Ron Regar River Swim champion. Four-year swimmer and team captain at Rhode Island, winning Atlantic 10 championship in 1650 free in 2002.
Matt Weiser: Central Catholic Class of 2002. District 3 2A and PIAA champion and record-holder in 100 breast. Two-time all-state and NISCA All-American. Three-time All-PSAC selection at West Chester University. Coached North Penn girls to 88-2-1 dual meet record in eight seasons, winning a PIAA team championship in 2016.
In addition, Reading Eagle sportswriter Steve Patton will receive a special service recognition award.