COLEEN LYNCH

2009 INDUCTION TO THE RHODE ISLAND AQUATIC HALL OF FAME

 

Coleen’s swimming career began at the age of seven with the Newport Navy Blues.  Her main events were the 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1650 freestyle. Coleen set and still holds team records in these events. In 1986 at the Eastern Military Championships she was the 13 -14 Age Group High Point Scorer. During her junior year at Rogers High School, Coleen was a Rhode Island Interscholastic League All-State swimmer in the 50, 100 freestyle and a member of the 400 Free Relay team. During her senior year, she was the Bay View Invitational Outstanding Swimmer and RI Interscholastic All State selection in the 50 and 100 freestyle, 200 Medley and 400 Free Relays. In 1991 Coleen graduated from Rogers as a National and Rhode Island Honors Societies Member.

            Coleen’s swimming success escalated at the College of the Holy Cross.  She was selected Most Improved Swimmer during her freshman year as well as being part of two relay teams that set school records. Coleen placed 1st in the 200 free with a time of 1:53.02, setting a new school record, 2nd in the 500 (5:04.89) and 3rd in the 100 free (52.86) in 1993 at National Catholic Championships. 1994 saw Coleen’ the ECAC’s placing first in the 100 free (51.86) setting a meet and school record, in the 200 free and 4th in the 500 free. This success continued into her senior and definitively her finest year as a competitor.  At Catholic Championships, Coleen placed 1st in 200 free, set a new school record in the 100 free (51.53) and helping her relay teams in placing 2nd.  The Patriot League Championships Coleen took home three 1st place finishes in the 500 (4:56.20), 200 (1:50.32) and 100 (51.78) freestyles, establishing two league, two meet and two school records. Her times in the 200 and 500 free made possible for her to become the only swimmer at the meet to receive NCAA consideration.  She was also named Co-Female Swimmer of the meet.  At the ECAC’s, Coleen took three 2nd place finishes in the 100 (51.53), 200 (1:50.97) and 500 (4:58.12) freestyles. During her senior year Coleen captured 29 of 30 dual meet events.  She holds Holy Cross Team Records in the 100, 200, 500, 1,000 freestyle events as well as participant of the 400 and 800 team record freestyle relays.  In 1995, Coleen was Co-Captain of the team, received the Most Valuable Player Silver Eagle Award, the Patriot League Scholar Athlete Award and was the Patriot League Championship “Swimmer of the Meet”.  To cap off a stunning swim season Coleen qualified and participated in the 200 freestyle at Senior National Swimming Championships.