The Erie County Aquatic Hall of Fame inducted new members Sunday, recognizing all swimmers who have made an impact in the sport locally over the years.

The swimming community gathered for the annual ceremony at the Kahkwa Club.

The 2024 inductees are:

  • Mercyhurst Prep grad Marie Georger
  • Three graduates of McDowell: Dan Pierce, Kelsey Herbst and Roman Stefanelli
  • Dan Roberts, Fairview class of 2012
  • Sean Morphy, Cathedral Prep Rambler from class of 2000

The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Maxine Lundberg, Harbor Creek 1973. It was the first year of having a team and a new pool at Harbor Creek.

A couple of the honorees shared what it means to have this recognition and to continue to support the sport.

"It's quite an honor," said Kelsey Herbst Prasse, inductee. "My mom - Nancy Seifer Herbst -was inducted a couple of years ago and has been really an inspiration and kind of reason why I got into swimming in the first place. It's quite exciting to be here and also among so many other talented swimmers."

"It's just a great sport for young athletes to be involved with anywhere from five or six years of age all the way up to high school and beyond," said Dan Pierce, inductee.

In other honors:

  • Family of Distinction went to the Robie family—five brothers who all swam at East High from 1935 to 1948
  • Team of Distinction went to the Fairview men's 2012 swim/dive team
  • Outstanding Relay went to the Cathedral Prep men's 2008 400 freestyle team of Tommy Steele, Philip Myrick, John Hill and George Krakowski
  • Aquatic Hall of Fame posthumously recognized Tom Gorbatoff from East High School Class of 1950 who swam and played water polo