MATTHEW GILSON

2003  INDUCTION TO THE RHODE ISLAND AQUATIC HALL OF FAME

Matt started his swimming career at the Hockomock YMCA and Abbott Run Valley Club, but it was as a high school swimmer that he truly excelled. As a member of Bruce Calvert’s Cumberland High School team in 1986, Matt led his team to victory at the Rhode Island Interscholastic Championship. Matt earned All-State honors in each of his four years of high school swimming and capped his interscholastic career in 1986 by winning the 200 freestyle, while setting a new state record of 1:47.22, and capturing the 100 freestyle. He was also a member of the winning 400-yard freestyle relay. Matt was named the Outstanding Swimmer in the state championship meet and the 1986 Rhode Island Interscholastic Swimmer of the Year. He was also honored by the University of Rhode Island as the Ram Blue White Fund’s Rhode Island High School Athlete of the Year, given to the finest in-state athlete who would be attending URI the following fall.

Matt received a swimming scholarship and continued his swimming successes under the guidance of coach Mike Westkott at URI, where he was consistently one of the team’s high scorers in dual and championship meets. During his intercollegiate career, Matt was one of the top freestyle competitors in the New England Intercollegiate Swimming League. He was the school record holder in the 100 and 200-yard freestyle events with times of 46.91 and 1:43.45 respectively. He was a member of several winning relay teams at the New England Championships. Matt Was the High Point Award winner in 1989, as a junior, and was captain and Most Valuable swimmer at URI in his senior year. He continues to compete as a member of the New England Masters Swimming Team and trains under the tutelage of Frank McQuiggan with the East Providence Masters.     

Matt was recently inducted into the Cumberland High School Hall of Fame.