JANET MOREAU STONE

1987 INDUCTION TO THE RHODE ISLAND AQUATIC HALL OF FAME

Janet was an outstanding swimmer from Pawtucket who first swam for Joe Watmough at the Olneyville Boys’ Club, and later for Andy Dimant at the Pawtucket Boys’ Club.  She swam for East High School in Pawtucket where she was undefeated.  In 1945 she won the following titles:  NEAAU Junior 100 yard freestyle, 150 yard individual medley, 100 yard backstroke, and 100 yard breaststroke.  She was undefeated in the 50 and 100 freestyle events in AAU competition.

In 1947 Janet was the National Junior 100 meter freestyle Champion (outdoors).  In 1948 she won the NEAAU crown in the 100 freestyle, and was named to the AAU All-State Swimming Team (first in R.I. History) in two events:  the 50 and 100 freestyle.  In 1949 she was again chosen to the R.I. All-State Swimming Team in the 50 and 100.  At Boston University she won numerous BU Championships although BU did not have a team for women.  In 1950 she stopped swimming to prepared for the 1952 Olympics in track.  Janet won a gold medal at the Olympic Games that year.

Janet was active in other aquatic areas.  In 1946 she pursued her aquatic interests at the National Aquatic School in Massachusetts.  She was a swimming instructor and lifeguard at the Pawtucket Boys’ Club, YMCA, and the YWCA from 1946-1956.  She was the first woman to pass the rigorous surf test for R.I. Lifeguards.  Janet taught swimming and coached the team at Pawtucket West High School for four years, 1951-1955.  From 1958 through 1963 she was the Pool Director and Water Safety Instructor at the Aqawam Hunt Club.