LYNNE R. PECKENHAM SIMMONS

2009 INDUCTION TO THE RHODE ISLAND AQUATIC HALL OF FAME

            As an age group swimmer, Lynne began her swimming career at the Pawtucket YMCA in 1978.  At the age of 8, Lynne set two state meet records: the first in the 50 yard breaststroke (44.21) and the second in the 100 yard freestyle relay.  This was the beginning of a very successful age group career consisting of many team, state, and New England records.  Competing for the Boys and Girls Club of Cumberland and Lincoln, Lynne, as a 10 year old, set the 50 yard backstroke record (38.22) and was part of a new medley relay record.  In 1980, for her achievements, Lynne was name to the New England ALL star Team and traveled to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania as the only RI selection and participant that year.  Later in her age group career, Lynne joined the Little Rhode Aquatic Club and continued her successful ways of setting records.  She qualified and was named to the New England All Star Team and The New England Zone Team.  During high school, Lynne attended Bay View Academy.  She won many events: The RI Interscholastic Swim Coaches and Providence Journal All State Honors; the Bay View Invitational Outstanding Senior Swimmer Award (along with Karen Crossman, inducted 2005), and the New England Prep School Championships and Lynne earned Honorary All American Prep School Honors.  She co-captained the Bay View Swim Team and led the Bengal’s to their first RI Interscholastic Swim Championship.  IN that Meet, Lynne won the 100 yard breaststroke, the 100 yard freestyle, and was a member of the 400 yard freestyle relay.

            Lynne attended West Virginia State University.  Representing West Virginia in the Eastern Intercollegiate Swim Championships she swam the breaststroke leg of the 200 yard medley relay which won the event and set a meet and pool record (1:49.29).  She also swam a leg on the 200 yard freestyle relay which placed 4th.  In the individual events, she placed 5th in the 500 yard freestyle, 5th in the 100 yard breaststroke, and 6th in the 200 yard breaststroke.  Lynne helped West Virginia University capture the Eastern Intercollegiate Women’s Swimming and Diving Championship.

            In the Masters Competition, impressively, Lynne set a National Record in the 400 yard individual medley (4:46.11), a National Record in the 1 hour swim, and earned numerous top ten rankings in other events.  Her 100 yard breaststroke time of 1.08.91 and 100 yard freestyle time of 55.11 ranked Lynne second in those events.  In addition to her 1st place rankings in the 400 individual medley and the one hour swim, she ranked third in a number of breaststroke and freestyle events.