Broncs Swim in 1500 Meters for Mike
Rider Sports Information
BELMAR, N.J.—For the third year in a row, the Rider University men's and women's swimmers participated in the annual '1500 Meters for Mike', an open water swim in Belmar, New Jersey to assist 2009 TCNJ graduate Michael Heaney's family.
Rider University swimming & diving went the extra meter (or 1500 of them) on September 20.
On April 11, 2012, Heaney was riding his bicycle and was hit by an on-coming car. The impact decimated his left side; crushing his rib cage, shattering his pelvis, and leaving him with a serious compound fracture in his leg as well as severe brain trauma.
Heaney passed away in November, 2013 from injuries sustained in the accident.
"Our team is proud to participate in this memorial competition and fundraiser every year," said Bronc head coach Steve Fletcher. "The passion the race organizers have for their cause and in remembering their friend and former teammate, Michael Heaney, is remarkable."
A native of Voorhees in South Jersey, Heaney was a student-athlete for The College of New Jersey men's swimming and diving team from the 2005-06 through 2008-09 seasons. The Bishop Eustace graduate was a tri-captain for the Lions during his senior season, specializing in the backstroke and individual medley events.
On Saturday, Rider rookie Ben Smith was third in the 2014 event.
"The conditions were challenging on Saturday, but our athletes competed well," Fletcher said. "Ben Smith (third overall out of 600) is an experienced open water swimmer having competed before coming to Rider as a member of the Lavallette Beach Patrol. Evan Paules (won his age group) and Taylor Shelley (won her age group) have shown natural ability in open water since their freshman years."
I've competed in a lot of ocean swims before for many different fundraisers and organizations,” said Smith who is majoring in Mathematics. “Yet I've never seen one where every single athlete came together for the cause. To see over 500 swimmers and so many college teams competing to benefit Mike's family was remarkable and it was a privilege to be a part of it. It felt great to finish third and even better being able to represent Rider Swimming and Diving in such a positive way the first chance I've had.”
In 2012, over 500 swimmers participated in the event that organized in less than a months' time with then Rider senior Brian Molloy winning the event and Bronc senior Addie Oswald placing in the top three finishers on the women's side.
In 2013, Molloy's younger brother William, who is currently a sophomore at Rider and then Bronc rookie Sam Cramer finished second and third respectively in the race attended by over 600 swimmers.
“An event like ‘1500 Meters for Mike’ reiterates for you not to take every day for granted, no matter how stereotypical that sounds,” Smith added. “Stay true to your commitments and hold a perspective on what really matters. And seeing how many different swimmers from different teams and backgrounds came out to support the cause, whether knowing Mike or not, that shows how true that notion really is.”
Over $40,000 was raised to help defer Mike's medical bills and his funeral expenses and the event will continue yearly to help others with traumatic brain injuries.
"We plan to return every year to support this special event, and we've discovered that many of our athletes have talent in open water swimming," Fletcher added. "Rider swimmers are traditionally represented in the top three out of the water overall every year at this competition, and it's a great opportunity to showcase our swimming talent to the local New Jersey swimming community."
For more information on the event and to help Rider to continue to support the Heaney family in Mike's memory, please click the link attached to this story.