John Daily

O*H*I*O Masters is proud to present the 2019 Lifetime to Achievement Award to John Daily.

John started swimming at MacKenzie High School in Detroit. After serving in the Army, the breaststroker took his talents to Michigan State, where he swam his freshmen year and the beginning of his sophomore year. He also participated in a few swimming competitions in the Army while preparing for the Korean War.

Like many swimmers, John took a swimming hiatus to focus on family. In 1977, his wife recommended that he get more exercise, so he joined the Jewish Center in Akron. It was there he struck up a conversation with a few masters who were admiring his fast swimming. They told John all about United States Masters Swimming, and it was then that a 40 year masters swimming relationship was ignited!

John swam his first masters meet in 1978, and his first nationals in 1979 as an unattached swimmer. In 1980, John joined Ohio Masters and continued swimming in local and national meets. When his daughter graduated in 1982, John made the decision to attend every national short course and long course nationals from there on out. And for 20 years, he did just that—missing only one when his daughter and grandchildren came to visit from California. He’s swam at masters world games in Indy and Montreal, and in Montreal, he placed in 5 events. Through present time, John racked up 228 individual and 39 relay Top Ten time. He also has four individual All American designations (and four relays designations. His den is filled with medals from nation meets, proudly displayed in cases by his wife. John also keeps folders of his swimming times and results over his decorated career. When being interviewed for this award, John joked, “The secret to winning in Masters Swimming is to outlive your competition.”

While John was an avid breaststroker, his favorite swimming memories are associated with the 500 free. At a national championship held in Florida, John swam in the same heat of local swim legends Dick Wells, who was also his son’s high school swimming. The result was friendly and fun competition. Another time, also at a national championship held in Florida, John swam in the same heat of national swim legend Jim Montgomery, who was the first man to break 50 seconds in the 100 free. John swears Jim bagged his seed time, and that he was still swimming the remainder of the 500 free while Jim got out, showered, and ate. While John didn’t win the race, he will always remember sharing a heat with swimming royalty.

While his accomplishments in the pool are undoubtedly impressive, what is equally if not more impressive his service to masters swimming both locally and nationally. John succeeded Peter Cath as Ohio Masters club president in the mid-80s, serving two terms. While president, John was selected to attend National Convention as an official delegate, where he then volunteered to serve on a national committee. Back at Ohio Masters, John also served 15 years as club treasurer. But that’s nothing compared to his other role. After a national meet in 1981, Peter Cath asked John to administer awards. John agreed, and continued to oversee every component of awards for 31 years! That alone should result in automatic legend status.

O*H*I*O Masters is proud to present John with the Lifetime Achievement award, and we thank you for your volunteerism during the club’s early years—and beyond!