Frederick “Fritz” Homans Inducted 2009

Bangor YMCA swimmer

            Began swimming at age 9 for the Bangor YMCA in 1966 under Coach Fred Pierce.  During his YMCA career he was a multi time state champion and at the end of his intermediate (15) age career he had set 8 Maine state records including relays.  At age 15 he qualified for YMCA Nationals in the 100 butterfly and finishing 9^th with a time of: 54.3.  He suggested the team mascot of Barracuda’s for the YMCA team.

            Competed in the AAU league national Junior Olympic and had 2 top 4 finishes in the 100 butterfly.

            He attended Deerfield Academy Prep for high school and was a 2 time captain.  In 1974 as a sophomore, he was part of the New England Prep School record 400 free relay team and was a 2 time Prep All American (100 fly, relay).  He also started the schools water polo program.  In 1975, he was a 3 time New England champ and Prep All American (100 fly: 51.8, 200 free 1:45.2, 400 free relay). 

In the summer of 1975 while competing with Suburban (became Foxcatcher) of Newtown, Pennsylvania, he set a new Brown University pool record (lcm) in the 100 fly (57.5) and while at senior nationals, qualified for the 1976 Olympic trials.

            During his senior year (1976) at Deerfield he set a New England Prep 100 free time of 47.6 to go along with 4 other New England Prep records (100 fly :51.6, 200 free 1:44.9, 500 free 4:47.6 and 400 free relay.  He was also undefeated in his final 2 seasons at Deerfield.  He was also voted the Babcock Award, presented to the New England Prep School swimmer that best exemplifies the values of New England Prep School swimming and diving for the 1975 and 1976 seasons.

            At Olympic trials he finished 13^th in the 100 fly (56.11) which was good enough for a 19^th world ranking for the event.

            He Attended University of North Carolina Chapel Hill on full scholarship.  In 1979, he earned NCAA All American status for the 400 medley relay and was 2 time captain of the team.  By time of graduation he had set 3 school records 100 free (46.33), 100 fly (49.72), 200 fly (1:52.47) and was part of 3 school relay records.

            During the summer of 1979, Fritz was voted captain of the elite camp of swimmers at the USOC training camp in Colorado.  He was also qualified for the 1980 Olympic trials but didn’t compete due to injury.

            He has competed in many international meets, open water and masters swimming over the years setting several masters records.

            He lives in Camden with his daughter Hannah and his son Harry!