Brewer High School

Mike Blanchard was an elite 4-year swimmer for the Brewer Witches and also a 4-year football player. As the quarterback for the Freshman Football Team, Blanchard led the team to a winning season (5-3 record). Known for his “really good arm” by his coaches, he put it to good use over the next three years. In addition to quarterback his sophomore and junior years, he was a starting cornerback for the defense on the JV and Varsity Teams. His senior year, he played varsity half-back position as well as quarterback when called upon. One of Blanchard’s best qualities that he exhibited on the field as well as in the pool was that he was very coachable. He was also willing and adept at playing numerous positions. In addition to cornerback, quarterback, and half-back, his football repertoire also included hiking and receiving punts.

Blanchard’s toughness and versatility were as evident in the pool as on the gridiron. A gifted athlete, Blanchard had an extraordinary natural ability in the water. He made his mark early in his interscholastic swim career at the regional and state level. At the PVC Swimming & Diving Championships his freshman year, he placed first in the 100 yd. breaststroke while setting a new PVC meet record; he was also a key member of Brewer’s first place 200 yd. Medley Relay team that also established a new PVC Meet Record. Following up his stellar performance at the conference level, Blanchard earned a silver medal in the 100 yd. breaststroke at the 1982 Class A State Meet.

The PVC meet record would not be the only record shattered by Blanchard in his career. His sophomore year, he set the school record in the 100 yd. breaststroke (1:03.90) which still stands to this day 40 years later. That record setting time posted in the breaststroke piqued the interest of college coaches throughout the state, particularly UMaine, making him one of the most heavily recruited swimmers for the rest of his high school career. 

Blanchard not only developed into one of the best breaststrokers in Eastern Maine, he was equally gifted in the backstroke. Possessed with unbelievably strong legs, he was a trailblazer, dolphin kicking off his turns, a style of swimming virtually unheard of in the mid-80’s and didn’t become commonplace until the early 1990’s. Blanchard consistently came out ahead of his opponent at the turn establishing a huge lead and contributed to countless wins over his career. Blanchard’s swift leadoff backstroke swim (26.7 seconds) on Brewer’s 200 yd. Medley Relay at the 1983 Class A State Championship solidified Brewer’s victory in the event.  

Blanchard was no stranger to adversity. Blanchard entered his senior year determined to prove his status among the best swimmers in the state. He innately possessed the qualities of a champion. Blanchard’s coach Tim Babcock recalls, “Mike was extremely coachable and he loved to race. When it was time to go, you knew by his body language he was ready to go.” Blanchard was a great competitor, whether in practice, a dual meet or a big championship, he was ready to race and the tougher the competition, the more he excelled. He was the 1985 PVC Champion in the 100 yd. backstroke his senior year and led his 200 yd. Medley Relay to a first-place finish two seconds ahead of the field. A week later, Blanchard led his medley relay again to a gold medal at the Class A State Meet and cruised to a first-place finish in the 100 yd. backstroke…he was the only swimmer under 1 minute. Just minutes after his backstroke victory, he hopped up onto the blocks for the very next event, the 100 yd. breaststroke, and won the gold medal. Blanchard became the first swimmer in Maine swimming history to record back-to-back individual first place finishes. This feat of back-to-back wins in the backstroke and breaststroke events have never been duplicated. “He was a tough kid…a South Brewer, tough kid”, recounts Coach Tim Babcock. “Mike trained all year to accomplish those back-to-back victories”. Blanchard’s determination combined with his mental toughness enabled him to succeed at an elite level securing his place as one of the best swimmers in Maine history.    

Blanchard was team captain and earned Brewer’s Outstanding Swimmer Award his senior year. He also earned the National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association Top 10 honors in several events and was selected as a member of the Maine All-State Swim Team all four years of his high school career.  His contributions to the Brewer Swim Team elevated the boy’s program to regional and state championship contenders. Blanchard was a significant reason Brewer earned the PVC Runner-up title three of his four-years of high school swimming and the State Runner-up title at the 1983 Class A State Meet. These were the only times in school history that the Brewer Boys’ Swim Team has reached this level of success.  

Blanchard’s football contributions to Brewer High School were solid performances each time he took the field; however, it was in the pool where he truly shined. Blanchard was one of the Brewer Swim Team’s most versatile and successful swimmers in school history. His prowess he displayed in all four strokes, and in particular his dominance in the backstroke and breaststroke events, made him unique to not only his era but for all time.  

Mike Blanchard lives in Brewer with his wife Wendy where they own and operate the Siesta Haven Corporation, an assisted living home in Brewer, since 2005.  

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE INDUCTION AND ACCEPTANCE SPEECH OF MIKE BLANCHARD

Inductee Mike Blanchard and Presenter Mickey Blanchard