Hall of Fame
Class of 1999
Sport: Swimming
Athletic Accomplishments:
A four-year letter-winner and a standout backstroker and distance freestyler, Patrick led his team to a four-year dual meet record of 19-14, including a 15-11 record in Capital Athletic Conference (CAC) dual meets and four consecutive third place finishes at the CAC Championships. As a first-year, he set the school record in the 200 backstroke only to break that record as a sophomore at the CAC championships. He also was a member of the record breaking 800 freestyle relay team as a sophomore. His junior year, he placed first at the CAC Championships in the 4300 individual medley; set school records in the 100 and 200 backstroke and 400 individual medley and was part of three medley teams that set new school records. He also was named to the 1998 All-CAC swimming team in the 200 backstroke and 400 individual medley. As a senior, he set school records in the 500 freestyle and 400 individual medley; placed first at the CAC Championships in the individual 500 freestyle, 400 individual medley, and 200 backstroke and was a member of CAC championship 800 freestyle medley team. A three-time school MVP and team captain in swimming, Patrick also was named 1999 CAC Swimmer-of-the-Year. At the conclusion of his collegiate swimming career, he held or was part of eight school records and 10 individual All-CAC performances. School records in 100 backstroke (:54.51); 500 freestyle (4:50.82); 400 freestyle relay (3:16.93) and the 800 freestyle relay (7:19.95) still stand today.
Involvement in Sports Today:
“Luckily for me, I still live close to SMC and can take advantage of the beautiful new facility that’s been built, though not as much as I should. I still compete in an occasional master’s swim meet and come back for alumni functions to see how I measure up to the kids (not well). I think sports and competition will always be a part of my life, and swimming a piece of that. It’s harder to motivate myself to get in a pool than it is to play some pickup basketball or something, but I’d find life extremely dull without being active.”
Mentor at St. Mary’s:
“When I was a freshman, our coach quit right at the beginning of the season. My two captains that year were Steve Butts ’96 and Dave Sherwood ’96. I think from an influence/mentor standpoint I took the most from the two of them. Steve was more the coach figure, who helped guide practices and my adjustment to a collegiate swimmer. Dave was the standout swimmer on the team, the MVP and the guy I looked to as to how to approach practices and the competition. As fate would have it, my senior year our coach quit the first week of practice. Our search lasted through the first two meets of the season and I think without having those two as mentors I wouldn’t have been able to help my team get through the rocky start to that season or have had as much success on an individual basis as I was fortunate enough to have.”
