Eric Namesnik, 35; Swimmer Won Silver Medals in ‘92, ’96 Games

Eric Namesnik, 35, who won silver medals in swimming at the 1992 and 1996 Olympics, died Wednesday at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ypsilanti, Mich., of injuries from a car accident.

The Saturday morning accident in Pittsfield Township occurred when Namesnik’s car spun on an icy road and was struck by another vehicle. He was heading to practice in Ypsilanti, where he coached the Wolverine Aquatics Swim Club.

He won silver medals in the 400-meter individual medley at the 1992 Barcelona Games and four years later in Atlanta. Namesnik became the first American to swim under 4 minutes, 15 seconds in the four-stroke medley event and lowered the American record four times. He was twice ranked No. 1 in the world.

Namesnik, a native of Butler, Pa., swam for the University of Michigan from 1989 to 1993, then spent seven years as an assistant with the men’s team, coaching 11 Olympians and helping the Wolverines win three Big Ten championships.