The annual Metropolitan Swimming Hall of Fame dinner took place Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at Riccardo's Restaurant, in Astoria, Queens. About 40 guests attended the 2009 Induction Ceremony.

Former General Chair and Chair of the Nominating Committee, Ray D’Annolfo (2005), was the Master of Ceremonies.

Bob Vializ, Chair of Metropolitan Swimming, welcomed everyone to the 2009 Metropolitan Swimming Hall of Fame, and Gil Smith read the Invocation.

Senior Chair Brian Brown was away so Barry Roffer introduced the 2009 Metropolitan Champions:
Women's Team Champion – Asphalt Green United Aquatics
Men's Team Champion – Team Suffolk
Combined Team Champion – Asphalt Green United Aquatics
Women's Individual – Annie Zhu – Asphalt Green
Men's Individual – Eric Culver – Unattached/Marist

Kris Sawicz, Official Chair NYC Area, presented the winners of the Joe Stetz Memorial Scholarship Awards:
Elizabeth Weston (BGC-N. Westchester Marlins) will attend Columbia University
Andrew Katz (New York Sharks) will attend Brown University

Gil Smith presented the ConocoPhillips Outstanding Service Award to Corinne Cody – Official/Finance Chair

Bob Vializ, presented the winner of the Metropolitan Coach of the Year Awards:
Carle Fierro (Badger Swim Club) as Age Group Coach of the Year (Happy Birthday, Carle)
Todd Langenmayr (New York Sharks) as Senior Coach of the Year 

George Rhein presented a Special National Age Group Records Award to Lia Neal (AGUA) in recognition for the National Age Group Records she set this past year.
George also mentioned former Metro Swimmer Julia Smit who set an American SCY record in the 200 IM and a World SCM record in the 400 IM.

Inducted in the 2009 Hall of Fame were:

• Bill Irwin – Swimmer/Coach -
• Sue Peterson-Lebow – Swimmer/Coach/Administrator
• 99 year-old Gerson Sobel – Swimmer/ HS, Masters

In addition to this year’s Class, the following Inductees were in attendance at the 2009 Hall of Fame Dinner:

• Ray D’Annolfo – 2005
• Dr. Jane Katz - 2003
• Hazel Barr - 2007
• Bea Hartigan – 2008
• Len Galluzzi - 2001

(Click to Enlarge)

Master of Ceremonies, Ray D'Annolfo	Betsy Weston with her mother and grandmother	Andrew Katz with his mother
Betsy Weston and Andrew Katz	Gil Smith and Corrine Cody	Carle Fierro and Bob Vializ
Todd Langenmayr and Bob Vializ	Sue Peterson-Lebow	99 Year-old Gerson Sobel
Gerson Sobel and Sue Peterson-Lebow	Members of the Hall of Fame	Barry Roffer
		Gerson Sobel