Swimming makes final push toward counties

The boys swimming and diving team has been successful so far with a current record of 4 and 1. The team is expecting more victories to come but will still face some challenges along the way, with games against Long beach and Plainview fast approaching.

One of the team’s initial wins was against Garden City.  Though Garden City usually has a strong standing against the Vikings, Port Washington dominated, scoring 128 points, which is the most they have scored all season. The boys also won against South Side Lynbrook with a score of 93 to 84, Manhasset with a score of 98 to 86, and Bellmore Merrick with a score of 103 to 77. 

However, the Vikings struggled and lost against Syosset, a strong team that beat the Vikings with a final score of 100 to 86.  Syosset is currently undefeated this season.

The four wins show that the Vikings are, in fact, one of the top teams in Conference 1, as the team is currently ranked third overall.  Over the course of the five matches, the team broke two school records.  Sophomore George Andreadis, who scored 196.72 points at the Jericho Invitational on Jan. 11, was one of these record-breaking athletes. Before this, Schreiber’s record was 196.10.

“I have two great coaches who pushed me to work hard and go after it, and it worked. I hope to break the other record when counties roll around,” said Andreadis.

In addition, the Port-Roslyn 200-meter relay team—comprised of seniors Nick O’Krepkie and Roslyn senior Orry Zayit, as well as junior Ron Basak and sophomore Erik Tang—completed the race in 143.77 seconds on Jan. 12, beating the previous record set by Schreiber swimmers.

This feat involved a lot of hard work and cooperation in which every swimmer had to be at their best.  If just one player had slipped up, the whole team would have suffered. 

“I think we have a strong team with good depth and that we have a good chance at winning the division or at least placing very well,” said sophomore Russell Kolen.  

The swimming and diving team now aims to win Division and County Championships later this season. In order to compete at the County Championship meet, each swimmer or relay must swim under a certain qualifying time.  Some swimmers have already met these standards, including senior Derek Knight, who swam the 200 Freestyle in a time of 1:51.83, and Basak, who swam the 50 Freestyle in 22.83 seconds.

 “We are a team of hard workers with county qualifiers in every grade level,” said sophomore Peter Epp. “If everyone swims their best times we may place in the top four at the championship meet.”

As the season progresses, the team is sure to exceed expectations.  They hope to make a comeback against Syosset on Jan. 26 and continue to dominate against Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK on Jan. 30.