COLLEEN MCGARRY O’NEIL
2007 INDUCTION TO THE RHODE ISLAND AQUATIC HALL OF FAME
Colleen’s swimming career began at the age of seven swimming for the Abbott Run Valley Club. Her main events for the Cumberland – Lincoln Boys Club and for Little Rhody Aquatic Club were the 200, 500, and 1650 freestyle. She was selected for the NE Zone Championship team in 1990, swimming the 500 and 1650 freestyle events. As a sophomore, Colleen transferred to Cumberland High School and joined the swim team. While at Cumberland High School, Colleen was a Rhode Island All State swimmer in the 100, 200, and 500 freestyle, and co-captain of the team in her senior year. In her junior year, Colleen won the Bay View Invitational High Point Scorer Award. Colleen made winning contributions to the State Swimming titles in 1990, 1991, and 1992 and held the girl’s high school 500 freestyle record from 1991 until 2007. Additionally, Colleen swam when the high school swim teams were coed, and she made significant scoring contributions at the Boys’ State Swim Meet In 1991, Colleen finished 5th in the 500 yard freestyle at this meet making her the highest placed female swimmer to finish this event. Colleen still holds the Cumberland High School record in the 200 and 500 freestyle.
Colleen’s swimming success earned her an athletic scholarship to Providence College where her focus continued as a distance freestyler. Colleen earned four varsity letters at Providence College, and she was a scoring contributor to the undefeated Women’s New England Championship team during her freshman year, as well as being a Big East Championship participant all four years. As a sophomore Colleen was named New England Female Swimmer of the Week by the New England Women’s Intercollegiate Swimming and Diving Association. Colleen still holds the Providence College freshman school record and the women’s school record in the 1650 yard freestyle event.
Colleen resides in Franklin, MA with husband John and their two children, Noah and Taylor. She works as a Human Resource Consultant in Cambridge, Massachusetts.