MICHAEL C. EVANS

1996 INDUCTION TO THE RHODE ISLAND AQUATIC HALL OF FAME

Mike was one of Rhode Island’s top interscholastic divers, competing for Cranston West at the Junior High and High School levels. He was also an outstanding freestyle swimmer for Cranston West coach, Jim Lynch. Mike’s strongest swimming event was the 50 yd. freestyle, and, if needed, he would anchor the medley relay or the 400 yd. freestyle relay event. Coach Lynch considered Mike one of his all-time “Most Coachable” competitors.

He competed at the Brown Interscholastic Swim and Diving Championship meet, New England AAU meets and the Eastern Regional Swim Championships.  Mike was named to the Rhode Island interscholastic All-State Swim Team in 1966 and 1967.  He won the Rhode Island and New England Diving Championship titles and swam on the Cranston West Medley Relay team in the New England Championships held at the University of Connecticut in 1967. Mike’s competitive intensity earned him the New England Diving Championship that year despite being hampered with shin splints during that event. His choice of optional dives with a high degree of difficulty helped him win numerous dual meets and championship meet titles.  Mike was named High School All-American in 1967.  He is married to the former Joann Traficante and they have a daughter, Tracy, and a son, William. Mike and his brothers carry on their father’s business at the T. W. Evans Cordage Company in Cranston.