John Muenzer, Swimming (1979-83)
John Muenzer was a member of The University of Toledo swim team form 1979 to 1983. A 1983 graduate of The University of Toledo in business administration, Muenzer made his mark as one of the top distance freestyle and backstroke swimmers of his time. His best finishes were at the 1983 MAC Championships where he placed fourth in both the 1,650 and 500-yard freestyle events. He also recorded a fifth-place finish in the 200-yard freestyle that same year. By the end of his college career, Muenzer had set four individual event records and was a member of three record-setting relay teams. Among his contributions to The University of Toledo were the three attempts and eventual success in swimming across Lake Erie. In the summers of 1981 ad 1982, he made attempts to swim Lake Erie at its widest point (57 miles). In August of 1983, with national news media focusing on his third attempt, Muenzer swam from Point Pelee, Canada to the beach of Cedar Point, a distance of 34 miles. This would be the first time he would attempt to swim south from Canada. With a crew of 20 and conditions in Muenzer's favor, the completion of his dream was highlighted by a lake record. After swimming for 24 hours and 10 minutes, he reaches the shore of Cedar Point where a plaque has now been placed to commemorate his accomplishment; a record has never been rewritten. Muenzer brought great pride and recognition to himself and to The University of Toledo, and was recognized by Governor Celeste as an example of commitment and effort of the youth of Ohio.
