greater Canton Aquatics Association's HALL OF FAME
Enshrinees with Jackson High School Swimming affiliation
JOHN STAMATES, swimmer | Enshrined April 26, 2015
One of six in the Class of 2015 of Greater Canton Aquatics Association’s Stark County Swimming and Diving Hall of Fame is John Stamates.
“John had an early indoctrination to swimming, starting in water babies classes at the North Canton YMCA and working his way through swim lessons until starting his competitive swimming career at the Branhaven summer swim club at the age of 5,” said a bio in the enshrinement ceremony program.
Age group YMCA swimming competitions provided a base for Stamates later swimming for Jackson High School. There Stamates set school records in the 50, 100 and 200 freestyle, as well as the 100 butterfly and the 200 and 400 freestyle relays. He was a five-time All-American and four-time state runner-up.
“Through John’s years on the North Canton YMCA swim team, Rick Morrison was instrumental in establishing John’s stroke technique, passion for the sport, and diligence in practice,” said the program bio. “After high school, John had two more brief competitive swimming experiences, spending one semester swimming at the University of Virginia and one semester competing in Masters Swimming while attending Miami University, before leaving the sport behind.
Excerpt from Canton Repository, April 27, 2017
JACK GARDNER, coach | Enshrined May 9, 2009
Jack was head coach at Jackson High School for 20 years. During his coaching tenure at Jackson he helped 42 athletes qualify for the state meet.
As a swimmer at Washington High School, Jack was a three-time state qualifier in the 200 and 500 Freestyle. He went on to be a four-time NCAA Division II national qualifier at Clarion University.
In swimming, Gardner said, “you never truly stop learning. Even some of the best world-class swimmers are constantly retooling their bodies and rethinking the way they swim every time to make themselves faster.” To this day Jack is still very involved in Stark County aquatics, coaching at Massillon Aquatic Club.
Some content from Ohio.com article, July 21, 2015
AMY BANAS, swimmer | Enshrined June 1, 2008
Betty Spector taught a young Amy Banas to swim at the Canton Jewish Community Center. It was Betty that instilled in her a love for the sport. She swam there until the age of 7 when she starting swimming at the CT Branin Natatorium for Chris Kitchen. It was during her age-group years that Amy's career was at its peak. Swimming World Magazine nationally ranked her with the fastest 8 year old 50 yard backstroke time in 1975; the fastest 10 year old 50 yard butterfly time in 1977; and the fastest 12 year old 100 yard butterfly time in 1979. Her best 100 yard butterfly time was a 58.3.
As a freshman at Jackson High School, Amy was All-American in the 100 yard butterfly with a time of 58.5. She didn't compete in the District or State swim meet that year due to mononucleosis.
Her sophomore year was spent in Brisbane, Australia swimming for the Australian Olympic and Commonwealth Games Coach Joe King. She competed in a number of swim meets while in Australia.
In her junior year of high school, Amy was part of an All-American medley relay team. By that point in her career her scoliosis was hindering her enough that she retired from competition after her junior year.
Even after more than 20 years, Amy holds three Jackson High School records including 100 freestyle, the 200 freestyle and the 100 butterfly.
Today Amy lives in Shaker Heights, Ohio with her husband, Todd, and her children, Paige and Devin. She works as the Director of Creative Ministries at Disciples Christian Church in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.
JOHN STAMATES, swimmer | Enshrined April 26, 2015
One of six in the Class of 2015 of Greater Canton Aquatics Association’s Stark County Swimming and Diving Hall of Fame is John Stamates.
“John had an early indoctrination to swimming, starting in water babies classes at the North Canton YMCA and working his way through swim lessons until starting his competitive swimming career at the Branhaven summer swim club at the age of 5,” said a bio in the enshrinement ceremony program.
Age group YMCA swimming competitions provided a base for Stamates later swimming for Jackson High School. There Stamates set school records in the 50, 100 and 200 freestyle, as well as the 100 butterfly and the 200 and 400 freestyle relays. He was a five-time All-American and four-time state runner-up.
“Through John’s years on the North Canton YMCA swim team, Rick Morrison was instrumental in establishing John’s stroke technique, passion for the sport, and diligence in practice,” said the program bio. “After high school, John had two more brief competitive swimming experiences, spending one semester swimming at the University of Virginia and one semester competing in Masters Swimming while attending Miami University, before leaving the sport behind.
Excerpt from Canton Repository, April 27, 2017
JACK GARDNER, coach | Enshrined May 9, 2009
Jack was head coach at Jackson High School for 20 years. During his coaching tenure at Jackson he helped 42 athletes qualify for the state meet.
As a swimmer at Washington High School, Jack was a three-time state qualifier in the 200 and 500 Freestyle. He went on to be a four-time NCAA Division II national qualifier at Clarion University.
In swimming, Gardner said, “you never truly stop learning. Even some of the best world-class swimmers are constantly retooling their bodies and rethinking the way they swim every time to make themselves faster.” To this day Jack is still very involved in Stark County aquatics, coaching at Massillon Aquatic Club.
Some content from Ohio.com article, July 21, 2015
AMY BANAS, swimmer | Enshrined June 1, 2008
Betty Spector taught a young Amy Banas to swim at the Canton Jewish Community Center. It was Betty that instilled in her a love for the sport. She swam there until the age of 7 when she starting swimming at the CT Branin Natatorium for Chris Kitchen. It was during her age-group years that Amy's career was at its peak. Swimming World Magazine nationally ranked her with the fastest 8 year old 50 yard backstroke time in 1975; the fastest 10 year old 50 yard butterfly time in 1977; and the fastest 12 year old 100 yard butterfly time in 1979. Her best 100 yard butterfly time was a 58.3.
As a freshman at Jackson High School, Amy was All-American in the 100 yard butterfly with a time of 58.5. She didn't compete in the District or State swim meet that year due to mononucleosis.
Her sophomore year was spent in Brisbane, Australia swimming for the Australian Olympic and Commonwealth Games Coach Joe King. She competed in a number of swim meets while in Australia.
In her junior year of high school, Amy was part of an All-American medley relay team. By that point in her career her scoliosis was hindering her enough that she retired from competition after her junior year.
Even after more than 20 years, Amy holds three Jackson High School records including 100 freestyle, the 200 freestyle and the 100 butterfly.
Today Amy lives in Shaker Heights, Ohio with her husband, Todd, and her children, Paige and Devin. She works as the Director of Creative Ministries at Disciples Christian Church in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.