Take the Lake / Labor Day Swim Registry
To contribute information, Contact Us
For an alphabetical list of hundreds of swimmers over the decades,
visit the TTL Swim Registry Alphabetical.
For an alphabetical list of hundreds of swimmers over the decades,
visit the TTL Swim Registry Alphabetical.
2016
The 2016 Swim Finishers are as follows:
- Mariah Cox Came in first
- Rhonda Skipper
- Mallory Falkner
- Jackson Cook his younger brother, Lawson, has received the Jennie Stocks Youngest Swimmer Award in 2014
- Justin Furlow
- Amy Merritt
- James Martin
- Walter Palmer 34th time!
- Josh Rabon
- Ryan Shaw
- Terri Edmund Finished all 4 TTL events in one weekend
- Cole Faircloth
- Charis Kasitciti
2015
This list is alphabetical. For times, visit the 2015 Swimmers Page...
|
Route: Dale's to the dam with annoying easterly winds for the X-TREME! on August 23, and the dam to Dale's on a very calm Labor Day with annoying bugs for the support crews.
Participation: 21 participants |
2014
This list is alphabetical. For times, visit the 2014 Swimmers Page...
|
Route: Dale's to the dam with annoying easterly winds for the X-TREME! on August 23, and the dam to Dale's on a very calm Labor Day with annoying bugs for the support crews.
Participation: 30 participants, including two people who swam both days. |
2013
Route: Beach to the dam for the X-TREME!, on August 24, and dam to public beach at Dale's for the Labor Day Swim.
Participation: 40 completed the swim, including two who swam both days. Conditions: Good on both days. Notes: First year using "Jumping Balls" inflatable children's toys as marker buoys. They worked very well; they are easy to set up and remove, are durable, and can be used several times. They are a little smaller than the balloons, however. First year that all successful swimmers receive a free lunch special at Dale's Restaurant. |
This list is alphabetical. For times, visit the 2013 Swimmers page.
|
2012
Route: Beach to the dam for the X-TREME!, on August 25, and dam to public beach at Dale's for the Labor Day Swim.
Participation: 48 complete the swim, including four who swim on both days Conditions: Good on both days. |
This list is alphabetical. For times, visit the 2012 Swimmers page.
1. Alyssa Beachum (New York) 2. Sandy Bicksler (Calabash) 3. Joseph Biebl (Whiteville) 4. Logan Bradshaw (Cherow) 5. Eric Brandt - TTL-X! (Lake Waccamaw) 6. Alex Britt (Hallsboro) 7. Whitney Burk (Lake Waccamaw) 8. Kendall Bush (Whiteville) 9. Stan Carter (Lake Waccamaw) 10. Connor Caulder (St. Pauls) 11. Mariah Cox (Raleigh) 12. Jordan Edwards (Whiteville) 13. William Fairley (Southport) 14. Elizabeth Farmer (Raleigh) 15. Michael Fowler (Whiteville) 16. Mark Gilchrist - TTL-X! (Whiteville) 17. Brett Gore - TTL-X! (Whiteville) 18. Amy Guartuche (Jacksonville) 19. Madison Hege (Whiteville) 20. Grayson Inman - TTL-X! (Whiteville) 21. Greer Inman - TTL-X! (Whiteville) 22. Josh Jacobsen (Clarendon) 23. Sterling Kelly (Greensboro) 24. Samantha Lane (Whiteville) 25. James Mason (Lake Waccamaw) 26. Madelyn McCullen (Whiteville) 27. Thomas Mintz TTL-X! (Ash) 28. Eric Murray (Charlotte) 29 & 30. Jan Palmer LDS & TTL-X! (Whiteville) 31 & 32. Walter Palmer LDS & TTL-X! (Whiteville) 33. Jozi Patterson (Whiteville) 34. Teresa Patterson (Whiteville) 35. Coburn Powell - TTL-X! (Whiteville) 36. Chris Ray (Hallsboro) 37. Todd Russ (Raleigh) 38. Martin Scott (Whiteville) 39. Janine Sellers (Whiteville) 40. Bill Sessoms - TTL-X! (Wilmington) 41. Matt Wilson (Lake Waccamaw) 42. Shannon Worrell (Lake Waccamaw) 43. Allison Yoder-Smith (Wilmington) 44. Helen Yoder-Smith (Wilmington) |
2011
Route: Dam to public beach at Dale's
Participation: 44 complete the swim. Conditions: Good at first, with a heavy downpour greeting all swimmers who were in for more than two hours. This was the first year for Take the Lake X-TREME!, which had been scheduled for Aug. 27. Hurricane Irene came through that day, so the X-TREME! was held on Labor Day. The TTL-X! swimmers set off at 6:20 a.m. from the dam, 100 minutes before the Labor Day swimmers. *List includes two event organizers who swam one week before the X-TREME! |
This list is alphabetical. For times, visit the 2011 Swimmers page.
1. Jedidiah Bonner (Whiteville) 2. Eric Brandt - TTL-X! (Lake Waccamaw) 3. Aaron Burk (Lake Waccamaw) 4. Conley Burk (Lake Waccamaw) 5. Whitney Burk (Lake Waccamaw) 6. Mariah Cox (Raleigh) 7. Rich Crutchfield (Greensboro) 8. Jon David (Leland) 9. John Deans - TTL-X! (Whiteville) 10. Iain Ferguson (Wilmington) 11. Elizabeth Flynt Apex 12. Michael Flynt Apex 13. Vickie Fogelman (Whiteville) 14. Eric Fogelman - TTL-X! Aberdeen 15. *Mark Gilchrist - TTL-X! (Whiteville) 16. *Brett Gore - TTL-X! (Whiteville) 17. Ron Hesmer (Wilmington) 18. Kelly Hoffman - TTL-X! (Whiteville) 19. Sterling Kelly (Greensboro) 20. Diane Lauristen (Mt. Pleasant S.C.) 21. Dana Maldin - TTL-X! (Shallotte) 22. Meredith Mccormick (Whiteville) 23. Madelyn Mccullen (Whiteville) 24. Thomas Mintz - TTL-X! (Ash) 25. Erik Murray (Wilmington) 26. Louie Nye - TTL-X! (Lake Waccamaw) 27. Bradley Olson (Lake Waccamaw) 28. Jan Palmer - TTL-X! (Whiteville) 29. Walter Palmer - TTL-X! (Whiteville) 30. Hunter Parsons (Charlotte) 31. Joe Plasky (Lake Waccamaw) 32. Todd Pletcher (Wilmington) 33. Coburn Powell - TTL-X! (Whiteville) 34. Brianna Sanders (Raleigh) 35. Dawn Sanders (Raleigh) 36. David Schultz (Leland) 37. Martin Scott (Whiteville) 38. Janine Sellers (Whiteville) 39. Bill Sessoms (Whiteville) 40. Henry Singletary (Wilmington) 41. Gary Stevens (Wilmington) 42. Daniel Thurston (Wilmington) 43. George Vlahos (Winston) 44. Matt Willis (Wilmington) |
2010
2009
To celebrate the first official year of Take the Lake in 2009, 38 veteran Labor Day Swimmers gathered at
John McNeill's pier on the Friday evening before the big weekend.
Fuller Royal photo
John McNeill's pier on the Friday evening before the big weekend.
Fuller Royal photo
Route: Dale’s to Dam (28 complete the swim)
This is the first year the Labor Day Swim becomes a part of Take the Lake
Conditions: Rough, with consistent wind out of the northeast, which improved speed slightly, but created heavy waves and pushed swimmers to western shore.
- Also, Julie Stocks and Kay Pope swim as a team in the pilot year for the Silver Swim Relay, open to veteran Labor Day Lake Swimmers 55 and older.
This is the first year the Labor Day Swim becomes a part of Take the Lake
Conditions: Rough, with consistent wind out of the northeast, which improved speed slightly, but created heavy waves and pushed swimmers to western shore.
- Yoel Balter (Wilmington)
- Joseph Biebl (Whiteville)
- Eric Brandt (Lake Waccamaw)
- Cheryl Chauncey (High Point)
- Missy Cooper (Sanford)
- Mariah Cox (Raleigh)
- Rich Crutchfield (Greensboro)
- Matthew Davis (Durham)
- Gina Deans (Whiteville)
- Nicole Ferguson (Wilmington)
- Mark Gilchrist (Whiteville)
- Brett Gore (Whiteville)
- Kelly Hoffman (Whiteville)
- Diane Lauritsen (Mt. Pleasant, S.C.)
- Meredith Mccormick (Lake Waccamaw)
- Sandy Mcneill (Whiteville)
- Walter Palmer (Whiteville)
- Joe Plasky (Kinston)
- Nichole Rodriguez (Belville)
- Janine Sellers (Whiteville)
- Bill Sessoms (Wilmington)
- Russell Smith (Lake Waccamaw)
- Mary Smith (Nakina)
- Daniel Thurston (Wilmington)
- Robert Troxler (Broadway)
- Michael Tutwiler (Whiteville)
- Jeremy Ward (Whiteville)
- Alex Watkins (Waxhaw)
- Also, Julie Stocks and Kay Pope swim as a team in the pilot year for the Silver Swim Relay, open to veteran Labor Day Lake Swimmers 55 and older.
2008
Route: Dale’s to Dam (7 swimmers)
Route: Dale’s to Dam (7 swimmers)
- Janine Sellers (Whiteville)
- Russell Smith (Lake Waccamaw)
- Walter Palmer (Whiteville)
- Mark Gilchrist (Whiteville)
- Andrew Powell (Whiteville)
- Samantha Lane (Whiteville)
- Diane Lauritsen (Mt. Pleasant, S.C.)
Information below was submitted by Walter Palmer
Except by otherwise referenced sources
2007
Route: Dale’s to Dam (11 swimmers)
Route: Dale’s to Dam (11 swimmers)
- Janine Sellers (Whiteville)
- Russell Smith (Lake Waccamaw)
- Robbie Johnson (Lake Waccamaw)
- Walter Palmer (Whiteville)
- Daniel Thurston (Wilmington)
- Brett Gore (Whiteville)
- Michelle Mroczka (Raleigh)
- Brianna Johnston (Whiteville)
- Ashley Heath (Raleigh)
- Richard Guthrie (Wilmington)
- Joe Plasky (Kinston)
2006
Route: Dam to McNeill’s Pier (8 swimmers)
Route: Dam to McNeill’s Pier (8 swimmers)
- Anna Wayne – Double Crossing (per Marianne Wayne) (Wilmington)
- Courtney Steed (Lake Waccamaw)
- James Palmer (Hendersonville)
- Rachel Pence (Cleveland)
- Nancy Wayne Crabtree (Whiteville)
- Walter Palmer (Whiteville)
- Ashley Heath (Raleigh)
- Julie Stocks (Lake Waccamaw)
2005
Route: McNeill’s Pier to Dam (9 swimmers)
Route: McNeill’s Pier to Dam (9 swimmers)
- Anna Wayne
- Sam Norris
- Jan Palmer
- Walter Palmer
- Kea Gray
- Allison Moore
- Charley McArthur
- John Triplett
- Joe Plasky
2004
Route: Dam to McNeill’s Pier (8 swimmers)
Route: Dam to McNeill’s Pier (8 swimmers)
- Sam Norris (Charleston SC)
- Walter Palmer (Whiteville)
- Ashleigh Heath Poling (Raleigh)
- Joe Plasky (Kinston)
- Dave Tiller (Raleigh)
- Blair Stephens (Great Falls Vir.)
- Ken Stephens (Great Falls Vir.)
- 1 other not listed in paper
2003
Route: Dam to McNeill’s Pier (6 swimmers)
Route: Dam to McNeill’s Pier (6 swimmers)
- Eric Brandt (Lake Waccamaw)
- Walter Palmer (Whiteville)
- Jan Palmer (Whiteville)
- Ashleigh Heath (Raleigh)
- Joe Plasky (Kinston)
- NCSU Swim Team (Raleigh)
2002
Route: Dam to McNeill’s Pier (17 swimmers)
Route: Dam to McNeill’s Pier (17 swimmers)
- Charles Veronee
- Susan Bliss
- Jamie Doyle
- Rich Crutchfield
- Walter Palmer
- Samuel Norris
- Joe Plasky
- Grayson Harris
- Jayne Gore
- Justin Stepps
- Henry Stapp
- Seth Hoffman (NCSU) 92 minutes
- Claire Nicholls (NCSU)
- Chris Nixon (NCSU)
- Ben Humphrey (NCSU)
- Bill Booth (NCSU)
- Scott Rushfeldt (NCSU)
2001
Route: Dam to McNeill’s Pier (23 swimmers: 10 confirmed, one unknown, and 12 from NC State)
Also, from the NC State website, Sept. 5, 2001
The Wolfpack men's and women's swimming teams sent several athletes to the Lake Waccamaw 5-mile open-water swim this past weekend in nearby Waccamaw, North Carolina. The 12 athletes represented NC State well, swimming the width of the lake in record times. Leading the way for the men was team captain and senior Tim Haley, sophomore Dan Kesler and freshman Peter Pessagno. The women were paced by freshmen Elizabeth Herron, Elizabeth Foote, Alison Marks and Lindsay Holman. The Pack returned from their Labor Day trip eager to get back into hard training in preparation for exciting upcoming season. After having their intrasquad Red and White meet on October 5th, the Wolfpack opens up their dual meet schedule with Maryland in Raleigh on October 13th.
Results of the Labor Day Lake Waccamaw Open Water Swim:
1:36 Tim Haley
Dan Kesler
Peter Pessagno
1:39 Chris Nixon
1:41 Jorge Gutierrez
1:46 Scott Rushfeldt
1:48 Elizabeth Herron
1:49 Elizabeth Foote
1:50 Dan Pietrzak
1:52 Alison Marks
1:53 Lindsay Holman
Route: Dam to McNeill’s Pier (23 swimmers: 10 confirmed, one unknown, and 12 from NC State)
- Walter Palmer
- Beau Memory
- Sally Hewett
- Jayne Gore
- Joe Plasky
- Samuel Norris
- Lorraine Baur
- Eric Gagnaux
- Vince Patrick
- Jonathan Hardwick (Source: J.H.)
Also, from the NC State website, Sept. 5, 2001
The Wolfpack men's and women's swimming teams sent several athletes to the Lake Waccamaw 5-mile open-water swim this past weekend in nearby Waccamaw, North Carolina. The 12 athletes represented NC State well, swimming the width of the lake in record times. Leading the way for the men was team captain and senior Tim Haley, sophomore Dan Kesler and freshman Peter Pessagno. The women were paced by freshmen Elizabeth Herron, Elizabeth Foote, Alison Marks and Lindsay Holman. The Pack returned from their Labor Day trip eager to get back into hard training in preparation for exciting upcoming season. After having their intrasquad Red and White meet on October 5th, the Wolfpack opens up their dual meet schedule with Maryland in Raleigh on October 13th.
Results of the Labor Day Lake Waccamaw Open Water Swim:
1:36 Tim Haley
Dan Kesler
Peter Pessagno
1:39 Chris Nixon
1:41 Jorge Gutierrez
1:46 Scott Rushfeldt
1:48 Elizabeth Herron
1:49 Elizabeth Foote
1:50 Dan Pietrzak
1:52 Alison Marks
1:53 Lindsay Holman
2000
Route: Dam to McNeill’s Pier (12+ swimmers)
- Lina Lawrence
- Nick Cook
- Larry Fowler
- Gary Shelby (triple crossing)
- Charles Veronee
- Walter Palmer
- Wes Gray
- Coburn Powell
- Ann Powell
- Joe Plasky
- Samuel Norris
1999
Route: Dam to McNeill’s Pier (9 swimmers)
Route: Dam to McNeill’s Pier (9 swimmers)
- Gary Shelby (triple-crossing)
- Patti Kirchoff
- Walter Palmer
- Joe Plasky
- Annie Lacks
- Robert McNeill
- Anna McNeill
- Bill Sessoms III (Source: B.S.)
- Jonathan Hardwick (Source: J.H.)
1998
Route: Dam to McNeill’s Pier (9 swimmers)
- Linda Lawrence
- Jasmine Gardiner
- James Palmer
- Walter Palmer
- Joe Plasky
- Heather Hooks
- Joseph Hooks
- Jean Thompson
- Chris Morgan Black
1997
Route: Dam to McNeill’s Pier (18 swimmers)
Route: Dam to McNeill’s Pier (18 swimmers)
- Gary Shelby (double-crossing)
- James Palmer
- Patti Kirchoff
- Russell Smith
- Walter Palmer
- Betsy Logan
- Bill Miller
- Mary Frances Burns McMillian
- J.B. Lee III (double-crossing)
- Elizabeth Lee (double-crossing)
- Julie Stocks
- Sandy McNeill
- Jenny McNeill
- Joe Plasky
- Diane Lauritsen
- Jean Thompson Stephens
- Chris Thompson Black
- Lina Lawrence (Youngest Swimmer)
1996
Route: Dale’s to Dam (14 swimmers)
Route: Dale’s to Dam (14 swimmers)
- Scott Atkinson
- James Palmer
- Sally Logan
- Walter Palmer
- Mary Frances Burns McMillan
- Betsy Logan
- Mary Bennon Gray
- Daniel Miller
- Ashleigh Heath
- Leslie Picklesimer
- Joe Plasky
- Russell Smith
- Lauren Gillam
- Mary Elizabeth Runyon
1995
Route: Dale’s to Dam (15 swimmers)
Route: Dale’s to Dam (15 swimmers)
- Scott Atkinson
- Brandon Stocks
- Stephen Yodersmith
- James Palmer
- Trevor Mickey
- Walter Palmer
- Russell Smith
- Helen Yodersmith
- Anna Hurd
- Joe Plasky
- Katy Simmons
- Julie Stocks
- Elizabeth Lee
- J.B. Lee III
- Faith Gladden
1994
Route: Dale’s to Dam (13 swimmers)
Route: Dale’s to Dam (13 swimmers)
- Jennifer Everson
- Scott Atkinson
- Brandon Stocks
- Heather Garrell
- James Palmer
- Walter Palmer
- Julie Stocks
- Stephen Yodersmith
- Helen Yodersmith
- Jason Everson
- Jenny Stallings
- Joe Plasky
- Anna Hurd
1993
Route: Dam to McNeill’s Pier (20 swimmers)
Route: Dam to McNeill’s Pier (20 swimmers)
- Jason Everson
- Brandon Stocks
- Scott Atkinson
- Bruce Shell
- James Palmer
- Walter Palmer
- Nancy Wayne
- Russell Smith
- Betsy Logan
- Jenny Stallings
- Anna S. Hurd
- Joe Plasky
- Ashleigh Heath
- Benjamin Ward
- Billy Chatham
- Julie Stocks
- Byrne Stocks
- Lisa Greer
- Stephen Yodersmith
- Helen Yodersmith
1992
Route: Dale’s to Dam (22 swimmers)
Route: Dale’s to Dam (22 swimmers)
- Andrei Belyi
- Scott Atkinson
- Brandon Stocks
- James Palmer
- Walter Palmer
- Nancy Wayne
- Jenny Stallings
- Julie Stocks
- Stephen Yodersmith
- Helen Yodersmith
- Caroline Powell (now Veronee)
- Eric Brandt
- Vickie Williamson
- Anna Hurd
- Joe Plasky
- Ronnie Bradshaw
- Gail Crutchfield
- Lisa Greer
- Abby Nicholson
- Jessica Hatch
- Karen Hatch
- Victoria Hatch
1991
Route: Big Creek to McNeill’s Pier (20 swimmers)
Route: Big Creek to McNeill’s Pier (20 swimmers)
- Andrei Belyi
- Brandon Stocks
- Linda Reisz
- James Palmer
- Walter Palmer
- Jennifer Logan
- Betsy Logan
- Ginger Stocks
- Joe Plasky
- Russell Smith
- Martin Scott
- Ronny Bradshaw
- Ralph Powell
- George Floyd
- Elizabeth Harrelson
- Anna Hurd
- Sandy McNeill
- Julie Stocks
- Mary Bennon Gray
- Helen Yodersmith
1990
Route: Dam to McNeill’s Pier (20 swimmers)
Route: Dam to McNeill’s Pier (20 swimmers)
- Bob Houseman
- Stephanie Tadlock
- Brandon Stocks
- Linda Reisz
- Robert Monds
- Sally Hewett
- Susan Shelley
- Brianna Johnston
- Mark Nicholson
- Brett Gore
- Sandy McNeill
- Joe Plasky
- Ginger Stocks
- Ashleigh Heath
- Karen Hatch
- Chris Allen
- Russell Smith
- Jim Overton
- Walter Palmer
- James Palmer
1989
Route: Big Creek to McNeill’s Pier (13 swimmers)
Route: Big Creek to McNeill’s Pier (13 swimmers)
- Linda Reisz
- Jim Overton
- Robert Creech
- Martin Scott
- Coke Gray
- Lisa Greer
- Brandon Suggs
- Walter Palmer
- James Palmer
- Anna Vick
- Ben Holt
- Russell Smith
- Joe Plasky
1986
Route: Scott’s Pier to Dupree Landing (10 swimmers)
Route: Scott’s Pier to Dupree Landing (10 swimmers)
- Linda Reisz
- Brent Young
- Donnie Peacock
- Beverly Beck
- Al Ball
- Joel Holt
- Beth Holt
- James Palmer
- Walter Palmer
- Brian Nicholson
1985
Route: Dam to McNeill’s pier (26 swimmers?)
Route: Dam to McNeill’s pier (26 swimmers?)
- Russell Smith Source: R. Smith
- Elizabeth Harrelson
- Lucy Lytton – she swam the lake soon after Lundy Lytton was born. Walter Palmer was in the boat and watched his aunt swim. I think he has swum the lake every year since. Source: Rome G Lytton.
1984
Route:
Route:
- Caroline Powell (Now Veronee) Source: E. Flynt
1982
Route:
Route:
- Elizabeth Powell (Now Flynt) Source: E. Flynt
- Caroline Powell (Now Veronee)
- Diane Lauritsen
1981
September 5
September 5
- Kaye Thurston (now Pope) Source: DM
- Pickett Council – (I’m guessing it was because only one of my medals was inscribed with my name and date). Youth is wasted on the young – I had planned to swim the lake again. Not quite sure why; I guess just because, but very wisely decided that it would be OK to go out the night before. After a VERY late night, I woke up early for The Big Swim and felt like I had stayed out way too late, I might add. But physical exertion works wonders, because by the time I finished the swim I felt fine. Again, we set out on the dam side. My friend Teresa Williamson (now Teresa Williamson Morgan) rode in the boat with Daddy and Dotty. She had been my partner in crime the night before. As a result of Daddy quizzing her about our whereabouts the night before, what time we got home, etc., she actually jumped in the water and swam some to escape Jack’s Inquisition! Source: Pickett Council
- Diane Lauritsen Source: D. Lauritsen
1980
- Lee J. Greer Sr. (37th swim) Source: The NR
- Rick Sessions – “I swam the lake in 1980, the only time I’ve done it. As I recall, the first one to finish that year was a guy who worked for one of the banks in Whiteville, named Louis Tudor, I think. I was the 2nd to finish, in a time of, as I recall, 2 hours and 10 minutes. I’m afraid I don’t remember who else swam that year.”
- Diane Lauritsen Source: D. Lauritsen
- Sheri Davenport McCleney (Late) Source: R. Smith
1978
September 4
September 4
- Caroline Powell (now Caroline Powell Veronee)
- Pickett Council – Caroline Powell (now Caroline Powell Veronee) and I, best friends all our lives, decided to swim the lake together. We “trained” by swimming it ahead of time! Her parents’ boat (I can’t remember if Monty drove or if Annette did that day…) accompanied us, and we set out on the dam side. We swam it with basically no problems, so we felt confident for the official swim. Is youth wasted on the young, or what?!?! When Labor Day arrived, we were instructed to begin on the “town” side of the lake. Rough waves forced Mr. Greer to change gears, though, and all swimmers packed up and drove / rode to the dam side. So the swim got started a bit later than planned but it wasn’t called off (however it was discussed, given the winds). It was VERY rough!!! But we persevered, Caroline accompanied by her boat and Daddy (Jack) in our boat accompanying me. Source: Pickett Council (Was this in 1978 or 1976? MCG)
1976
Swim is conducted on the Fourth of July as part of the nation’s bicentennial celebration. They had considered starting at 1 p.m., but decided on a 9 a.m. start to avoid afternoon weather. Below is the coverage in The News Reporter.
Swim is conducted on the Fourth of July as part of the nation’s bicentennial celebration. They had considered starting at 1 p.m., but decided on a 9 a.m. start to avoid afternoon weather. Below is the coverage in The News Reporter.
- Jane Kratochvil, 15, Goldsboro, 2:10
- Karen Valetine, 14, Mill Valley, CA, 2:39
- Deborah Swarts, 14, Wilmington
- Michael Basinger, 14, Elizabethtown
- Mark Hoffman, 16, Lake Waccamaw
- Randolph Straugh, 13, Whiteville
- Robbie Lee, 12, Whiteville
- J.B. Lee III, 22, Whiteville
- Valerie Swarts, 11, Wilmington
- Ralph Melville, 15, Lake Waccamaw
- Judy Bowen, 30, Whiteville
- Jimmy Pierce, 17, Evergreen
- Greg Wood, 17, Whiteville
- Jack Meares, 13, Fair Bluff
- Caroline Powell (now Caroline Powell Veronee)
- Pickett Council
Maggie Will
1975
The News Reporter proclaims this as the "Eighth Annual Lake Waccamaw Labor Day Swim," which means it would have "officially" begun in 1967.
(14 swimmers)
Start at dam (at 9 a.m.) and swam to the "Boys & Girls Homes Pier"
The News Reporter proclaims this as the "Eighth Annual Lake Waccamaw Labor Day Swim," which means it would have "officially" begun in 1967.
(14 swimmers)
Start at dam (at 9 a.m.) and swam to the "Boys & Girls Homes Pier"
- Michael Basinger, 13, Elizabethtown
- Wendell Boone, 14, Whiteville
- Jerry Glenn Dixon, 22, Benson
- Lisa Douglas, 14, Lake Waccamaw
- Melinda Edwards, 11, Whiteville
- Lesley Harvey, 14
- Nancy Harvey, 17
- Jane Kratochvil, 14, Goldsboro (left B&G Pier at 8:15 to become first female to swim both ways. Finished first leg in 1:54.)
- Kim Lewis, 10, Whiteville
- Jack Meares, 12, Fair Bluff
- Jeanette Nabell, 11, Wilmington
- Lisle Nabell, 15, Wilmington
- Mark Nabell, 14, Wilmington
- Maggie Will, 10, Whiteville - Will became a professional golfer with the LPGA for many years, and after living for some time on the east coast of Florida returned to North Carolina to help coach golf for N.C. State (2010)
1974
SOURCE: Lee Creekmore
- - Joseph Richard Creekmore
- - Raymond Lee Creekmore Jr.
1973
SOURCE: Susan Joyner Murphy and The NR
“I pulled out an old News Reporter article from one of the years I swam the lake. I earned the Lee J Greer award two years. The article is from 1973 and mentions that 18 completed the swim that year. Of those, there is a photo of myself and three others. I also know an older brother of one of those in the photo also made the swim.
The participants’ names I know of are:”
SOURCE: Susan Joyner Murphy and The NR
“I pulled out an old News Reporter article from one of the years I swam the lake. I earned the Lee J Greer award two years. The article is from 1973 and mentions that 18 completed the swim that year. Of those, there is a photo of myself and three others. I also know an older brother of one of those in the photo also made the swim.
The participants’ names I know of are:”
- Susan Joyner
- Glenn Joyner
- Ricky Harris
- Dean Alsup
- Keith Alsup
- Ben Hege - Started at Dale's pier and swam to dam. Weather was nice. Took about 4:20
- Curtis Duncan - Dad worked at SCC. Ben's & Curtis' dag escorted. BSA Troop 513
1972
September 4. Conditions "Rough"
- Susan Joyner
- Elizabeth Paige Whitley (now Walker) Age 10 (Born Nov. 23, 61) Is the "Second youngest girl to swim the lake"
1971
SOURCE: Deborah McNeill
- Gretta Stanley (now Evans)
- Lynn Whitley (now Joyner) – Age 14
- John Whitley – Age 12
1970
SOURCE: Deborah McNeill
SOURCE: Deborah McNeill
- Kathy Stanley (now Watkins)
- Mary McNeill (now Hooks)
- Teresa Duncan (now Andrews)
- Jenny Hammonds (now Morantz)
- Paula Sellers (now Bullock)
- Michelle Turner
John Council of Lake Waccamaw has listed the names of the swimmers he can remember in the above photograph: Front row, L-R. Steve Douglass, ?, Kathy Stanley (Watkins), ?, ?, John Council, Mary McNeill (Hooks), Chris Council, Michelle Turner, Jenny Hammonds (Marantz). Back row, L-R. Johnnie McNeill, Lee Greer, Rome Lytton, Teresa Duncan (Andrews) I believe, Matt Layman, ?, ?.
1966
SOURCE: Deborah McNeill and Jean Claire Gault
The first official "Lake Waccamaw Labor Day Swim?" See 1975
- Burlon Gault – Swam in August at age 10 and 7 months. Father, Frank Gault and Lee Greer escorted him. With this passage, Gault captured Bubba Greers title as the youngest swimmer.
1960
- Lee Jackson (Bubba) Greer Jr. (Youngest to date (at age 10, by less than a year? See 1958) Source: The NR
1953
SOURCE: The News Reporter
SOURCE: The News Reporter
- John Ward Jr.
- John “Billy” Cole, son of Willard Cole
1951
- Paul “Paulie” Williamson Jr. of Whiteville, swam the lake at age 15, some time in August. His father, local car dealer Paul Williamson, took Pauli after the swim to the New York Cafe in downtown Whiteville and fed him a huge steak dinner. Paulie, so exhausted from the swim, finished the meal and went to sleep in the booth. (Bob High)
"I was reminded again of the history and significance of the roots to Columbus County agriculture our Labor Day Swim and Take the Lake has when Laura Greer Vick's husband told my husband that Mr. Lee Greer had started his swimming lessons because Columbus County led the state in farm pond drowning deaths."
Ashleigh Heath Armstrong, (Sept. 8, 2011) |