Evening Sun Report

BINGHAMTON – Retired Norwich teacher and swimming coach Rick Marchant added to an already prolific collection of Empire State Games medals last week at Binghamton University, while also garnering special recognition from Empire State Games swimming coordinator, Paul McClintock of Westchester during masters swimming competition.

Marchant added to his own record as the only swimmer to participate in all 26 masters swimming events since its inception in 1982. Not only has he competed each year, he has won medals – predominately gold – in each of those games. “There are three others who have missed one one games, including McClintock,” Marchant said. “He (McClintock) is my age, and the only one he missed was the first one. I gave him one of those medals from that first games, so he and I each have a medal from every year.”

From a results standpoint, it was business as usual for Marchant. Competing in the 55 to 59 age group, he won four gold medals including the 200 individual medley, 200 backstroke, 100 freestyle, and 100 individual medley. He also grabbed a silver medal in the 100 butterfly.

Many swimmers have come and gone in Marchant’s age group since his first year, but Marchant said there are always new and fast swimmers participating to make the competition strong.