GARY HENSON

1994 INDUCTION TO THE RHODE ISLAND AQUATIC HALL OF FAME

Setting a pool record for boys 13 and 14 years of age in an AAU meet at Park View Junior High pool was the beginning of many record setting performances by Gary. He won the 400 yard freestyle at the New England championship meet in record time in 1962, and earned Interscholastic All State status in the 400 yard freestyle and the 100 yard butterfly.

       In 1959 he was named the Pawtucket Boys’ Club Boy of the Year.

    In 1961, Gary became a member of the Interscholastic All State team in the 200 yard Individual Medley. He won the Andy Dimant Memorial 440 yard freestyle and the Rhode Island Men’s 200 yard 1M at the New England AAU championship at the Pawtucket Boys’ Club pool.

    Other championships included the 100 yard Individual Medley for boys 15 and under at the Rhode Island Junior swimming championships at Park View Junior High School, the RI State 440 yard freestyle in a NE AAU meet at Wanskuck Boys’ Club, and the 100 yard butterfly and 100 yard freestyle at the RI Interscholastic Championship meet held that year at East Providence High School.

    Gary won various trophies at Annual Water Carnivals at the Pawtucket Boys’ Club, won the Quincy Bay Race Week one-mile swim, and was named Rhode Island’s Outstanding Swimmer of the Year by the RI Swimming Coaches and Officials Association.