It was a perfect morning for the Historical Society of Central Florida to proclaim Lucky’s Lake Swim a Historic Event. We had 474 swimmers complete the swim today blowing away our previous single day record of 243 (we had close to 600 in attendance, as not everyone swam). We also had over ten new age group records fall during the swim, as well as, a new overall fastest crossing by Hayden Curley busting the 12 minute barrier with a time of 11:55 Wooo Hooo! (yes folks that’s over an back in 11:55). Summer Fink blew the women’s fastest overall record away with a time of 12:09. More records listed below (it will take a couple of days to get them updated on our record board). We also made the front page of the Orlando Sentinel (Read article here).
There was food aplenty, a live band (thanks Crooked Road, which is now my favorite irish band) a yoga class, photo collage of 25 years of the lake swim, and a great reunion of many old lake swimmers that had not attended in years. We had a special sticker for the event (if you didn’t get yours we have some left) and refrigerator magnet from the historical society and we had so many first time swimmers we lost count; however it was over 75!
Many thanks to all the 100K club members and 1000K club members for their bang up job organizing the event. Lucky was away all week on a medical mission trip in the Dominican Republic so all he had to do was show up. Kudos to the chefs, traffic patrol, organization team and everyone else who pitched in. A special thanks to Jay Madigan for heading up the event and an extra special thanks to the Historical Society of Central Florida.
Some of the dignitaries we had at the event included: Olympic Gold Medalist and NBC Olympic Sportscaster Rowdy Gaines who swam with his wife Judy. Mark Line, president of the Historical Society of Central Florida, District one commissioner Scott Boyd (who has been a champion for maintaining the water quality in Lake Cane), Jacqueline Tobert Water Division Manager of Orange County Utilities, Kimberlee Riley one of the original lake swimming crew and assistant manager of the Orange County Regional History Center and, of course, all you guys and gals that did the swim.
There may be some spelling issues for names please email Lucky with corrections
Men’s New Records
Hayden Curley Both the new open record and 15-16 record 11:55
Tyler Watson 13-14 record 12:54
Matt Nardozzi 17-18 record 11:56
John Meisenheimer VII 19-24 record 12:18
Sean McCormick 30-34 record 13:26
Women’s New Records
Summer Fink Both the new open record and 17-18 record 12:09
Madisson Hocuck 10-u record 20:26
Caroline Cooper 13-14 record 12:56
Carley Lowe 15-16 record 12:54
Liz Dillmann 50-54 record 13:30
Sundy Keeter 55-59 record 15:41

Some of the original early 90s lake swimmers. Scot is carrying his original pull buoy ordered the same time as Lucky’s, although it has faired much better.

Thanks to Crooked Road we had excellent music during the event and we are changing our name back to O’ Meisenheimer, pass me the corned beef please.

Lucky came across a heat sheet from 1978 (Rowdy’s first college meet) Lucky and Rowdy raced but only remembers seeing the soles of Rowdy’s feet.

Well it’s not Athens, but Hayden Curley is the man. The first swimmer to break the 12 minute barrier.

he Meisenheimer boys, 3 six packs and a pony keg. Max wanted to let everyone know he was standing in a hole (he really was).

The take off for folks trying to set records. Most had already done one crossing for warmup. Over ten records were set.

Mark Line and Kimberlee Riley from the Historical Society of Central Florida present Lucky with the historical proclaimation.
Congratulations Lucky. I am so thrilled to see it finally happen. What an amazing turnout. My most sincere thanks for the many years of opening your home to so many of us. For me it was always more than a place to swim…the friendships that I was fortunate to experience are for a lifetime. I am so grateful to you and Jaquie for your amazing generosity.
Thanks Lucky!!!
Congratulations Lucky, and thank you for all you do. I am very excited to be a part of this. I am very grateful to you and all your family for welcoming us and allowing us to come.
Lucky – Thank you so much for being such a champion for open water swimming and being a foundation for an amazing aquatic community in Central Florida. Thank you to your family for giving so much to everyone. Until the next early morning swim, Mark