Michael J. Hager Award winners ...

Each year the Waukon Swim Club honors swimmers with the Michael J. Hager Award given in memory of Michael J. Hager (1960-1991), who was the son of Bonnie and the late James Hager of Waukon. This year’s Michael J. Hager Award recipients are Meridian Snitker and James VanderVelden. Meridian Snitker is pictured at right and James VanderVelden was not available for the photo.

Michael Hager loved swimming. In 1976, as a lifeguard at the pool, he started the Waukon Swim Club. He worked as a lifeguard, swam with the club and coached until he graduated from high school in 1978. He went on to attend college for one year at William Penn University and then transferred to Luther College, where he swam for the Norse for three years. Each summer, Hager would come home to coach the swim team and lifeguard at the pool until he graduated from Luther in 1982.

Hager believed that a swimmer did not have to be a technical or precision swimmer to be good in the sport. He believed that everyone could learn to swim and love the water. Hager embraced the philosophy that swimmers should do their best and have fun. This award has been given each year since 1992 in Hager’s memory to Waukon Swim Club members who gave their best at practice and during meets while having fun, supporting others, and being passionate about the sport. Submitted photo.