Labor Day Swim Registry

Compiled by Walter Palmer
Except otherwise referenced sources
To contribute information, contact Mark Gilchrist: click here

2009: Route: Dale’s to Dam (28 completed the swim)
Conditions: Rough, with consistent wind out of the northeast, which improved speed slightly, but created heavy waves and pushed swimmers to western shore.

Yoel Balter (Wilmington)
Joseph Biebl (Whiteville)
Eric Brandt (Lake Waccamaw)
Cheryl Chauncey (High Point)
Missy Cooper (Sanford)
Mariah Cox (Raleigh)
Rich Crutchfield (Greensboro)
Matthew Davis (Durham)
Gina Deans (Whiteville)
Nicole Ferguson (Wilmington)
Mark Gilchrist (Whiteville)
Brett Gore (Whiteville)
Kelly Hoffman (Whiteville)
Diane Lauritsen (Mt. Pleasant)
Meredith Mccormick (Lake Waccamaw)
Sandy Mcneill (Whiteville)
Walter Palmer (Whiteville)
Joe Plasky (Kinston)
Nichole Rodriguez (Belville)
Janine Sellers (Whiteville)
Bill Sessoms (Wilmington)
Russell Smith (Lake Waccamaw)
Mary Smith (Nakina)
Daniel Thurston (Wilmington)
Robert Troxler (Broadway)
Michael Tutwiler (Whiteville)
Jeremy Ward (Whiteville)
Alex Watkins (Waxhaw)

- Also, Julie Stocks and Kay Pope swim as a team in the pilot year for the Silver Swim Relay, open to veteran Labor Day Lake Swimmers 55 and older.

2008: Route: Dale’s to Dam (7 swimmers)
Janine Sellers (Whiteville)
Russell Smith (Lake Waccamaw)
Walter Palmer (Whiteville)
Mark Gilchrist (Whiteville)
Andrew Powell (Whiteville)
Samantha Lane (Whiteville)
Diane Lauritsen

2007: Route: Dale’s to Dam (11 swimmers)
Janine Sellers (Whiteville)
Russell Smith (Lake Waccamaw)
Robbie Johnson (Lake Waccamaw)
Walter Palmer (Whiteville)
Daniel Thurston (Wilmington)
Brett Gore (Whiteville)
Michelle Mroczka (Raleigh)
Brianna Johnston (Whiteville)
Ashley Heath (Raleigh)
Richard Guthrie (Wilmington)
Joe Plasky (Kinston)

2006: Route: Dam to McNeill’s Pier (8 swimmers)
Anna Wayne (Wilmington)
Courtney Steed (Lake Waccamaw)
James Palmer (Hendersonville)
Rachel Pence (Cleveland)
Nancy Wayne Crabtree (Whiteville)
Walter Palmer (Whiteville)
Ashley Heath (Raleigh)
Julie Stocks (Lake Waccamaw)

2005: Route: McNeill’s Pier to Dam (9 swimmers)
Anna Wayne
Sam Norris
Jan Palmer
Walter Palmer
Kea Gray
Allison Moore
Charley McArthur
John Triplett
Joe Plasky

2004: Route: Dam to McNeill’s Pier (8 swimmers)
Sam Norris (Charleston SC)
Walter Palmer (Whiteville)
Ashleigh Heath Poling (Raleigh)
Joe Plasky (Kinston)
Dave Tiller (Raleigh)
Blair Stephens (Great Falls Vir.)
Ken Stephens (Great Falls Vir.)
1 other not listed in paper

2003: Route: Dam to McNeill’s Pier (6 swimmers)
Eric Brandt (Lake Waccamaw)
Walter Palmer (Whiteville)
Jan Palmer (Whiteville)
Ashleigh Heath (Raleigh)
Joe Plasky (Kinston)
NCSU Swim Team (Raleigh)

2002: Route: Dam to McNeill’s Pier (17 swimmers)
Charles Veronee
Susan Bliss
Jamie Doyle
Rich Crutchfield
Walter Palmer
Samuel Norris
Joe Plasky
Grayson Harris
Jayne Gore
Justin Stepps
Henry Stapp
Seth Hoffman (NCSU) 92 minutes
Claire Nicholls (NCSU)
Chris Nixon (NCSU)
Ben Humphrey (NCSU)
Bill Booth (NCSU)
Scott Rushfeldt (NCSU)

2001: Route: Dam to McNeill’s Pier (11 swimmers)
Walter Palmer
Beau Memory
Sally Hewett
Jayne Gore
Joe Plasky
Samuel Norris
Lorraine Baur
Eric Gagnaux
Vince Patrick
11 members of NCSU swim team
(1 other not listed in paper)

2000: Route: Dam to McNeill’s Pier (12 swimmers)
Lina Lawrence
Nick Cook
Larry Fowler
Gary Shelby (triple crossing)
Charles Veronee
Walter Palmer
Wes Gray
Coburn Powell
Ann Powell
Joe Plasky
Samuel Norris
(5 others not listed in paper)

1999: Route: Dam to McNeill’s Pier (9 swimmers)
Gary Shelby (triple-crossing)
Patti Kirchoff
Walter Palmer
Joe Plasky
Annie Lacks
Robert McNeill
Anna McNeill
Bill Sessoms III (Source: B.S.)
(News Reporter did not list all participants),

1998: Route: Dam to McNeill’s Pier (9 swimmers)
Linda Lawrence
Jasmine Gardiner
James Palmer
Walter Palmer
Joe Plasky
Heather Hooks
Joseph Hooks
Jean Thompson
Chris Morgan Black

1997: Route: Dam to McNeill’s Pier (18 swimmers)
Gary Shelby (double-crossing)
James Palmer
Patti Kirchoff
Russell Smith
Walter Palmer
Betsy Logan
Bill Miller
Mary Frances Burns McMillian
J.B. Lee III (double-crossing)
Elizabeth Lee (double-crossing)
Julie Stocks
Sandy McNeill
Jenny McNeill
Joe Plasky
Diane Lauritsen
Jean Thompson Stephens
Chris Thompson Black
Lina Lawrence (Youngest Swimmer)

1996: Route: Dale’s to Dam (14 swimmers)
Scott Atkinson
James Palmer
Sally Logan
Walter Palmer
Mary Frances Burns McMillan
Betsy Logan
Mary Bennon Gray
Daniel Miller
Ashleigh Heath
Leslie Picklesimer
Joe Plasky
Russell Smith
Lauren Gillam
Mary Elizabeth Runyon

1995: Route: Dale’s to Dam (15 swimmers)
Scott Atkinson
Brandon Stocks
Stephen Yodersmith
James Palmer
Trevor Mickey
Walter Palmer
Russell Smith
Helen Yodersmith
Anna Hurd
Joe Plasky
Katy Simmons
Julie Stocks
Elizabeth Lee
J.B. Lee III
Faith Gladden

1994: Route: Dale’s to Dam (13 swimmers)
Jennifer Everson
Scott Atkinson
Brandon Stocks
Heather Garrell
James Palmer
Walter Palmer
Julie Stocks
Stephen Yodersmith
Helen Yodersmith
Jason Everson
Jenny Stallings
Joe Plasky
Anna Hurd

1993: Route: Dam to McNeill’s Pier (20 swimmers)
Jason Everson
Brandon Stocks
Scott Atkinson
Bruce Shell
James Palmer
Walter Palmer
Nancy Wayne
Russell Smith
Betsy Logan
Jenny Stallings
Anna S. Hurd
Joe Plasky
Ashleigh Heath
Benjamin Ward
Billy Chatham
Julie Stocks
Byrne Stocks
Lisa Greer
Stephen Yodersmith
Helen Yodersmith

1992: Route: Dale’s to Dam (22 swimmers)
Andrei Belyi
Scott Atkinson
Brandon Stocks
James Palmer
Walter Palmer
Nancy Wayne
Jenny Stallings
Julie Stocks
Stephen Yodersmith
Helen Yodersmith
Caroline Powell (now Veronee)
Eric Brandt
Vickie Williamson
Anna Hurd
Joe Plasky
Ronnie Bradshaw
Gail Crutchfield
Lisa Greer
Abby Nicholson
Jessica Hatch
Karen Hatch
Victoria Hatch

1991: Route: Big Creek to McNeill’s Pier (20 swimmers)
Andrei Belyi
Brandon Stocks
Linda Reisz
James Palmer
Walter Palmer
Jennifer Logan
Betsy Logan
Ginger Stocks
Joe Plasky
Russell Smith
Martin Scott
Ronny Bradshaw
Ralph Powell
George Floyd
Elizabeth Harrelson
Anna Hurd
Sandy McNeill
Julie Stocks
Mary Bennon Gray
Helen Yodersmith

1990: Route: Dam to McNeill’s Pier (20 swimmers)
Bob Houseman
Stephanie Tadlock
Brandon Stocks
Linda Reisz
Robert Monds
Sally Hewett
Susan Shelley
Brianna Johnston
Mark Nicholson
Brett Gore
Sandy McNeill
Joe Plasky
Ginger Stocks
Ashleigh Heath
Karen Hatch
Chris Allen
Russell Smith
Jim Overton
Walter Palmer
James Palmer

1989: Route: Big Creek to McNeill’s Pier (13 swimmers)
Linda Reisz
Jim Overton
Robert Creech
Martin Scott
Coke Gray
Lisa Greer
Brandon Suggs
Walter Palmer
James Palmer
Anna Vick
Ben Holt
Russell Smith
Joe Plasky

1988: Route: Dam to McNeill’s Pier (9 swimmers)
Julie Stocks
Jennie Stocks
Ralph Powell
Joe Plasky
Gil Vick
Robert Creech
Walter Palmer
James Palmer
Russell Smith

1987: Route: Dam to McNeill’s Pier (8 swimmers)
Linda Riesz
Robert Creech
Ben Holt
Joe Plasky
Dan Joye
Diana Lauritsen
Walter Palmer
James Palmer

1986: Route: Scott’s Pier to Dupree Landing (10 swimmers)
Linda Reisz
Brent Young
Donnie Peacock
Beverly Beck
Al Ball
Joel Holt
Beth Holt
James Palmer
Walter Palmer
Brian Nicholson

1985: Route: Dam to McNeill’s pier (26 swimmers?)
Russell Smith Source: R. Smith

Elizabeth Harrelson

Lucy Lytton – she swam the lake soon after Lundy Lytton was born. Walter Palmer was in the boat and watched his aunt swim. I think he has swum the lake every year since. Source: Rome G Lytton.

26 participants?

1984: Route:
Caroline Powell (Now Veronee) Source: E. Flynt

1982: Route:
Elizabeth Powell (Now Flynt) Source: E. Flynt
Caroline Powell (Now Veronee)
Diane Lauritsen

1981: September 5
Kaye Thurston (now Pope) Source: DM
Pickett Council – (I’m guessing it was because only one of my medals was inscribed with my name and date). Youth is wasted on the young – I had planned to swim the lake again. Not quite sure why; I guess just because, but very wisely decided that it would be OK to go out the night before. After a VERY late night, I woke up early for The Big Swim and felt like I had stayed out way too late, I might add. But physical exertion works wonders, because by the time I finished the swim I felt fine. Again, we set out on the dam side. My friend Teresa Williamson (now Teresa Williamson Morgan) rode in the boat with Daddy and Dotty. She had been my partner in crime the night before. As a result of Daddy quizzing her about our whereabouts the night before, what time we got home, etc., she actually jumped in the water and swam some to escape Jack’s Inquisition! Source: Pickett Council
Diane Lauritsen Source: D. Lauritsen

1980:
Lee J. Greer Sr. (37th swim) Source: TNR
Rick Sessions – “I swam the lake in 1980, the only time I’ve done it. As I recall, the first one to finish that year was a guy who worked for one of the banks in Whiteville, named Louis Tudor, I think. I was the 2nd to finish, in a time of, as I recall, 2 hours and 10 minutes. I’m afraid I don’t remember who else swam that year.”
Diane Lauritsen Source: D. Lauritsen
Sheri Davenport McCleney (Late) Source: R. Smith

1978:September 4
Caroline Powell (now Caroline Powell Veronee)
Pickett Council – Caroline Powell (now Caroline Powell Veronee) and I, best friends all our lives, decided to swim the lake together. We “rained” by swimming it ahead of time! Her parents’ boat (I can’t remember if Monty drove or if Annette did that day…) accompanied us, and we set out on the dam side. We swam it with basically no problems, so we felt confident for the official swim. Is youth wasted on the young, or what?!?! When Labor Day arrived, we were instructed to begin on the “town” side of the lake. Rough waves forced Mr. Greer to change gears, though, and all swimmers packed up and drove / rode to the dam side. So the swim got started a bit later than planned but it wasn’t called off (however it was discussed, given the winds). It was VERY rough!!! But we persevered, Caroline accompanied by her boat and Daddy (Jack) in our boat accompanying me. Source: Pickett Council

1976:
Swim becomes a Labor Day event as part of the nation’s bicentennial celebration

1975: Maggie Will, age 10 (Born Nov. 22, 64) Source: DB
Will has been a professional golfer with the LPGA for many years, and now lives on the east coast of Florida.

1974
SOURCE: Lee Creekmore
- Joseph Richard Creekmore
- Raymond Lee Creekmore Jr.

1973
SOURCE: Susan Joyner Murphy and TNR
“I pulled out an old News Reporter article from one of the years I swam the lake. I earned the Lee J Greer award two years. The article is from 1973 and mentions that 18 completed the swim that year. Of those, there is a photo of myself and three others. I also know an older brother of one of those in the photo also made the swim.

The participants’ names I know of are:”
- Susan Joyner
- Glenn Joyner
- Ricky Harris
- Dean Alsup
- Keith Alsup

1972
- Susan Joyner
- Paige Whitley (now Walker) Age 10 (Born Nov. 23, 61)
Paige wanted to swim the previous year, but couldn’t. “I swam (in 1972) because (in 1971) we only had 2 boats, and since I was the youngest of the three, I had to wait. I was 10; I just missed being the youngest girl at the time! Our grandparents had a house on the lake. We spent lots of time there. We grew up in Wilson, NC. Our grandparents names: Fred and Eva Mae Stevens of Whiteville. Our parents names: Bill and Hilda Whitley of Wilson. Lynn now lives in Raleigh, NC (2009). John lives in Wilmington, NC (2009). I live in Hickory, NC (2009).

1971
- SOURCE: Deborah McNeill
- Gretta Stanley (now Evans)
- Lynn Whitley (now Joyner) – Age 14
- John Whitley – Age 12

1970
- SOURCE: Deborah McNeill
- Kathy Stanley (now Watkins)
- Mary McNeill (now Hooks)
- Teresa Duncan (now Andrews)
- Jenny Hammonds (now Morantz)
- Paula Sellers (now Bullock)
- Michelle Turner

Do you know these people? Mary McNeill (now Hooks) is fourth girl from right, and Kathy Stanley Watkins is the third from right.
1966
SOURCE: Deborah McNeill and Jean Claire Gault
- Burlon Gault – Swam in August at age 10 and 7 months. Father, Frank Gault and Lee Greer escorted him. With this passage, Gault captured Bubba Greers title as the youngest swimmer.

1960
Lee Jackson (Bubba) Greer Jr. (Youngest to date at age 10) Source: TNR

1953
SOURCE: TNR
John Ward Jr.
John “Billy” Cole, son of Willard Cole
Lee J. Greer, center, with John Cole, left, and John Ward Jr., right, after the two boys swam across Lake Waccamaw on an event that had them out after dark!

From left, Lee J. Greer, John Ward Jr., John Ward, Mary Cole, John Cole and Willard Cole. It is not known whether Greer swam or just coached the boys across the lake.

1951
Paul “Paulie” Williamson Jr. of Whiteville, swam the lake at age 15, some time in August. His father, local car dealer Paul Williamson, took Pauli after the swim to the New York Cafe in downtown Whiteville and fed him a huge steak dinner. Paulie, so exhausted from the swim, finished the meal and went to sleep in the booth. (Bob High)