OCEAN CITY- The Ocean Games long-distance swimming event and the corresponding East Coast SUP Cup last Saturday was once again a big success with hundreds of participants competing in various events with varying skill levels all for a good cause.
The third annual Ocean Games featured a nine-mile open ocean swim, a three-mile ocean swim and a one-mile ocean swim. Going on at the same time was the 2nd Annual East Coast SUP Cup near the Inlet featuring competitors battling in various skill levels and distances. The East Coast SUP Cup was added last year after the inaugural Swim Ocean City event two years ago.
While the spirited competition was the highlight of the Saturday event, perhaps more important was the good cause for which the Ocean Games were dedicated- the Johns Hopkins Brain Rehabilitation Program. The event was conceived by Berlin native Corey Davis, who was treated at the Johns Hopkins Brain Rehabilitation Program following a brain injury he suffered in a motorcycle accident.
In the 9-mile Wetsuit Division, Bishopville’s David Speier finished first, Bobby Robinson of Salisbury was second, John Hebner of Marriotsville, Md. was third and Bill Little of Wendell, N.C. was fourth. In the 9-mile Non-Wetsuit Division, John Humerick of Philadelphia was first, Meredith Gouger of Cockeysville was second and Kent Lassman of Alexandria was third.
In the 3-mile ocean swim, Noah Martin of Ocean City was first, James Wagner of Washington was second and Matthew Leitsch of Wilmington was third. In the one-mile swim, Sinead Ecksteen of Vienna was first, Thomas Krajewski of Towson was second and Susanna Bruce of Trappe was third.
In the 2nd annual East Coast SUP Cup, in the Men’s Elite Division, Bobby Frey was first, Christopher Norman was second, Brian Meyer was third, Mark Nelson was fourth and Corey Taylor was fifth. In the Women’s Elite Division, April Zilg was first, Ocean City’s own Corrine Banks was second and Rachael Novak was third. In the Open Division, Kevin Haigis was first, Fielding Pagel was second, Becca Trosch was third, Chris Racine was fourth and Ocean City’s own Chad Rogers was fifth.