MICHELLE MCWEENY CHESSIN

2009 INDUCTION TO THE RHODE ISLAND AQUATIC HALL OF FAME

 Michelle’s success spanned several years as an age group, high school and collegiate swimmer.  She began swimming as an 8 & under at the Newport County YMCA.  She then went to join the Newport Navy Blues.  Michelle was a finalist in all major New England age meets. In the 11 & 12 age group, Michelle set meet and state records in the 100 yard breaststroke with a time of 1:15.14 at the RI Age Group Championships.  She also set RI resident records in the 50 and 100 meter breaststroke at the 1986 NE Junior Olympic Long Course Championships. In the 1987 RI Age Group Championships, Michelle won the 100 yard breaststroke for 13 & 14 girls with a time of 1:11.76.   She also won 200 yard breaststroke that year in the RI State Senior Championships with a time of 2:35.35. She won the NE Zone in the 100 meter breaststroke in 1:21.90. In 1989, Michelle again won the RI Age Group Championships in the 100 breaststroke 15-18 girls. At the Eastern Zone Championships that year, Michelle qualified for the US Long Course Junior Olympic Championships in the 100 and 200 meter breaststroke with personal best times of 1:08.48 and 2:26.61 while setting a meet record in the 200. At the 1990 Rhode Island Senior Championships, Michelle swept three events, finishing 1st in the 100 & 200 yard breaststroke and the 200 IM. Michelle qualified for United States Swimming Junior Nationals again in 1991 and 1992.

In 1990, swimming for Middletown High School, Michelle on the 100 breaststroke and earned Journal Bulleting All-State honors at the RI Girl’s State Meet.  She also set a meet record at the Bay View Invitational in the 100 yard breaststroke (1:10.23). She earned All-State honors in the 100 breaststroke in 1989, 1990, and 1991.

Michelle attended Providence College where she continued to achieve success as a student-athlete.   She was a two time New England Champion in the 200 breaststroke (1994 and 1995). In 1994, earned most improved female swimming athlete. She was named All-Big East three times from 1994-1996. In 1996, Michelle was named a Captain of the swim team. As a senior, she received the prestigious Helen Bert Award for outstanding achievement in both academics and athletics. Michelle graduated from Providence College in 1996 holding the school record in the 200 breaststroke, impressively from 1994-2007.