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Eric Namesnik

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Eric Namesnik
Personal information
Full nameEric John Namesnik
Nickname"Snik"
National team United States
Born(1970-08-07)August 7, 1970
Butler, Pennsylvania
DiedJanuary 11, 2006(2006-01-11) (aged 35)
Ypsilanti, Michigan
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight172 lb (78 kg)
Sport
SportSwimming
StrokesIndividual medley
ClubClub Wolverine
College teamUniversity of Michigan
Medal record
Men's swimming
Representing the United States
Olympic Games
Silver medal – second place 1992 Barcelona 400 m medley
Silver medal – second place 1996 Atlanta 400 m medley
World Championships (LC)
Silver medal – second place 1991 Perth 200 m medley
Silver medal – second place 1991 Perth 400 m medley
Bronze medal – third place 1994 Rome 400 m medley
Pan Pacific Championships
Gold medal – first place 1991 Edmonton 400 m medley
Silver medal – second place 1989 Tokyo 400 m medley
Silver medal – second place 1991 Edmonton 200 m medley
Silver medal – second place 1995 Atlanta 400 m medley
Pan American Games
Silver medal – second place 1995 Mar del Plata 200 m breast
Silver medal – second place 1995 Mar del Plata 400 m medley
Bronze medal – third place 1995 Mar del Plata 200 m medley

Eric John Namesnik (August 7, 1970 – January 11, 2006), nicknamed "Snik," was an American competition swimmer and two-time Olympic silver medalist in the men's 400-meter Individual Medley (1992 & 1996).

Early years

Namesnik was born and raised in the town of Butler, Pennsylvania, and swam for the Butler YMCA Swim team while he was growing up. He initially attended Butler Area Senior High School, transferring after his sophomore season to Spanish River Community High School in Boca Raton, Florida.

He accepted a swimming scholarship from the University of Michigan, to compete under coach Jon Urbanchek's Michigan Wolverines swimming and diving team from 1989 to 1993.[1]

Swimming career

Namesnik represented the United States at two consecutive Olympic Games. At the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, he received his first Olympic medal, a silver, for his second-place performance in the men's 400-meter individual medley (4:15.57).[2]

Four years later at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, he again finished second and received a silver medal in his signature event, the men's 400-meter individual medley (4:15.25).[3]

He also won a bronze medal in the 400-meter individual medley at the 1994 world championships, and two silvers at the 1991 world meet. He set a new American record in the 400-meter individual medley on four occasions.[4]

Swim coaching

He later spent seven years (1997-2004) as an assistant with the men's Michigan Wolverines swimming and diving team under coach Jon Urbanchek. He was a volunteer assistant coach at Eastern Michigan University for two years before his death and was a coach for Wolverine Aquatics Club in Ann Arbor, Michigan.[5]

Death

Namesnik died on January 11, 2006, from injuries sustained in a car accident the prior week. On January 7, 2006, he was critically injured in an accident that occurred when he attempted to pass another vehicle on an ice-covered road in Pittsfield Township, Michigan. He was survived by his wife, former swimmer Kirsten Silvester from the Netherlands, and their two children, Austin and Madison. His former club team, Club Wolverine, hosts the Namesnik Memorial Grand Prix every spring in his honor.[6]

He is memorialized with a statue outside of the Butler County YMCA, along with his childhood coach John "Pump" McLaughlin.[7]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Two-Time Olympian Dead At 35". 12 January 2006. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
  2. ^ "Southern Exposure A Selling Point". 30 October 1990. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
  3. ^ Sports-Reference.com, Olympic Sports, Athletes, Eric Namesnik Archived 2012-11-13 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
  4. ^ "Swimming Great Namesnik Passes Away After Accident". Retrieved January 14, 2023.
  5. ^ "Swimming Assistant Eric Namesnik Passes Away Following Car Accident". Retrieved January 14, 2023.
  6. ^ "Kornacki: Namesnik's Family Finds Life's Sunshine". Retrieved January 14, 2023.
  7. ^ "USA Olympic Swimming: Remembering Eric Namesnik's Quiet 20-Year Olympic Legacy". Bleacher Report. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
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