BATTLE CREEK – An exciting anniversary for one of the longest-running events in Battle Creek is just on the horizon. As the 99th annual Goguac Lake Swim was held on Saturday, Aug. 8, there was a race to be won, but there was also a buzz about next year’s 100th happening.
Battle Creek’s Jeff Bailey has lost count how many times he has swam in the event, “I don’t even know… has to be close to 30 times.”
But he’s looking forward to the 100th.
Bailey added that he will be back next year for the centennial of an event that started in 1928, and has been the longest continuously held open water race in Michigan and the longest-held sporting event in Battle Creek.
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“Great that this the 99th, but I’m looking forward to next year. It will be the 100th and I will turn 60, which will be a new age group for me,” Bailey said. “Hopefully, we get a lot of people out for it. There is word of a reunion, looking to get a lot of the people from the past who have swum, some past winners.
“It’s amazing to think anything lasts 100 years, especially a swimming event. So I’ll be back for the 100th definitely. Beyond that, I don’t know. Once you get in you 60s, I might need a buoy so they can find me if I don’t finish.”
There were over 100 competitors, plus spectators that populated Willard Beach for the 1.15-mile swim.
They all finished behind a surprise entrant. A college-level open water swimmer, who left the entire field in his wake.
Kalamazoo’s Elijah Rolfsen is a 19-year-old who is entering his sophomore season for the Miami (Ohio) University men’s swim team, and crossed the finish line well ahead of the pack.
“I’ve never done this race before. My club coach knows I do open water, so he told me about this event. I thought it was a cool event, so I came out,” Rolfsen said.
Rolfsen finished first overall in a time of 23:29 with Portage’s Nicholas Agostinelli in second, more than a minute later at 24:44. Charlie Jensen-Abbott of Albion was third at 24:47. Last year’s winner, Major Baumann, who swims for Lakeview High School, was fourth at 25:16.
Rolfsen was a home-school student in high school out of Portage and was recruited to compete in college off of his club team – Greater Kalamazoo Crocs.
“I had a good time out on the course. Had to stop there for a bit because my cap fell off,” Rolfsen said. “Figured I had a good chance to win this. Open water is what I do. I am actually on the Team USA junior national team for open water. I swam a 10K in Italy earlier this year.”
For the second year in a row, Harper Creek swimmer Ella Laupp won the women’s division. Laupp, who will be a junior for the Beavers when the school year starts, finished first with a time of 25:19. Payton Werner, who will swim for Lakeview High this year, was second at 26:58.
“This is fun to come back to swim in. I love swimming in this lake swim. It’s different, but it hurts. The most I swim usually is 500 meters, and that’s not even by choice,” Laupp said. “I like this event because it feels like I am part of the community when I do it. I am a lifeguard at the Y Center, so I talk to a lot of people about coming out for this, and in that way, I can make an impact on people.”
99th Annual Goguac Lake Swim Results
Age group winners: 1.15-Mile Race
Overall male winner: Elijah Rolfsen, 23:29
Overall female winner: Ella Laupp, 25:19
Female 10-under: E. Welser, 39:05
Male 11-14: Charlie Jensen-Abbott, 24:47
Female 11-14: Renesmae Compton, 28:34
Male 15-18: Nicholas Agostinelli, 24:44
Female 15-18: Payton Werner, 26:58
Male 19-29: Reece Ratliff, 29:58
Female 19-29: Bryn Cavanaugh, 37:56
Male 30-39: Luke Griffioen, 33:01
Female 30-39: Leah Erlandson, 32:31
Male 40-49: Andrew McFee, 30:41
Female 40-49: Meredith McNair, 35:02
Male 50-64: Jeff Bailey, 28:21
Female 50-64: Ann Kehn, 39:19
Male 65-over: David Belson, 32:53
Female 65-over: Denise Martin, 40:44
750 meter race
Male overall: Jerry Zeng, 8:14.4
Female overall: Averie Morales, 10:42
Full Results Here
Contact Bill Broderick at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on X/Twitter @billbroderick.
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: At 99th annual Goguac Lake Swim, buzz has already started about the 100th
Reporting by Bill Broderick, Battle Creek Enquirer / Battle Creek Enquirer
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By Bill Broderick, Battle Creek Enquirer | USA TODAY Network
