The hall of fame, established earlier this year by the Capital Region Aquatic Center, will annually honor athletes, coaches, officials and community supporters who have made significant contributions to local aquatic sports.
The Hall of Fame effort was spearheaded by Tim Sinnenberg, a local coach, parent and Capital Region Aquatic Center advisory board member.
“We believe that these inaugural activities exemplify the rich sports culture in the Capital Region,” Sinnenberg said in the release. “Each honoree has dedicated themselves to elevating the excellence of water sports throughout the region, setting the standard for generations to come.”
Inductees included Kari Andersson, Cassandra Cardinell-Metzler, Richelle (Depold) Fox, Edward (Ned) Monthie, Kevin Paulsen, Pat Potter, Kathleen Rogan and Arthur F. Young Jr.
Andersson was an NCAA Division III champion at Williams College and a 13-time All-American. Ranked No. 1 in the FINA 2000 World Rankings for the 25-29 age group in the 100-meter backstroke, Andersson is today an All-American U.S. Masters (USMS) swimmer. Her achievements include 12 relays and 24 individual USMS top-10 finishes.
Cardinell-Metzler represented Team USA in numerous international events, including placing seventh at the 2004 Summer Olympics in the women's 10-meter synchronized diving platform.
At Indiana University, she was the 2005 NCAA platform champion and won the 2008 senior national title in the 10-meter dash. In 1999, while attending Shaker High School, Cardinell-Metzler set the Section 2 diving record, breaking the New York State diving record in the process.
Fox competed on the United States national team from 1995 to 2000, winning medals at the U.S. National Championships and World Cup Swimming events.
While at the University of North Carolina, she became a six-time ACC Individual Swimmer of the Year and a two-time All-American medalist. Prior to her distinguished collegiate career, Fox was the most decorated Section 2 swimmer in history. Thanks to her multiple victories at meets in New York State, she was named the event's top athlete three times.
Monthie is the longtime swimming and diving coach at Shaker High. During his distinguished career, he coached divers who competed in both the Section 2 Championships and the New York State Swimming and Diving Championships.
Among the many successful divers he has mentored is another Hall of Fame inductee, Cassandra Cardinell. Monthie was the Section 2 Swimming and Diving Coordinator for the New York State High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) and is a member of the Shaker High School Hall of Fame.
Paulsen is the most decorated swimmer in Section 2 history. A five-time state champion with eight sectional titles. He was undefeated in individual events and held the Section 2 record in the 200- and 500-meter freestyle. Being a member of the Hall of Fame of the University of St. Bonaventure, Paulsen took first place several times during his college career at the Eastern Intercollegiate Championships.
Potter has spent over sixty years dedicated to the Glens Falls swimming community. She was a diving clinic instructor for 35 years and volunteered as a diving referee or referee at the New York State Championships for 30 years. Potter also served as president of the New York State Section 2 Clerks Association for 12 years.
Rogan has participated in Special Olympics since 1999, competing in 231 track and field and swimming events. In 2018 and 2022, she competed in swimming at the USA Games and the World Games in Ireland.
Young is the director of Adirondack Swimming. He played a key role in the creation of USA Swimming and then served as chairman of the organization's finance committee for several years. Young was honored with the Distinguished Service Award for New York State Certified Swimming Officials.
In addition to honoring the inaugural class of candidates, the event will recognize the Shenendehowa girls and boys swimming and diving teams as Coaches of the Year. Both teams won Section 2 Large School championships, and multiple athletes competed in the New York State Championships.
For information on how to purchase tickets or support the Hall of Fame as a sponsor, go to capitalregionaquaticcenter.org or email tsinnenberg@gmail.com.
The mission of the Capital Region Aquatic Center is to provide swimming lessons for all ages, offer aquatic therapies and exercise classes, and serve as host to local, regional and national aquatic competitions. The Aquatic Center's goal is to save lives through learn-to-swim programs, improve the health of people in our region and attract thousands of athletes and spectators each year.
