EDWARD NISTA

2013 INDUCTION TO THE RHODE ISLAND AQUATIC HALL OF FAME

During the early 1940’s Edward Nista was a great swimmer from the Wanskuck Boys Club. Ed was a Boys Club Champion, Rhode Island Age Group Champion, and New England Age Group Champion. In addition, he was a Rhode Island State & New England AAU record holder in numerous freestyle events, backstroke and relay events.

These records were subsequently broken by Joe Prata and Carl Paulson. In 1943 & 1944, Ed won the National A.A.U. 100 yard backstroke championship.

            The 1940’s scrapbook, provided by the Providence Boys Club, shows that Ed dominated the backstroke events during his competitive years. Ed Nista, elected captain of Wanskuck Boys Club swim team, exhibited leadership in competition and in daily life. As a defense worker during World War Il, Ed served his country and continued to compete as a swimmer, often successfully competing against collegiate swimmers from New England and the East Coast.  He was inducted into the Wanskuck Boys Club Hall of Fame, Class of 1984. 

            Ed is being inducted into the Rhode Island Aquatic Hall of Fame posthumously.  We are grateful to the Wanskuck Boys and Girls Club for providing their archive records to the Rhode Island Aquatic Hall of Fame and thank Donna Nista for nominating her Dad for induction into the Hall of Fame.