Wow, is the only word to describe the Farmingdale Lady Dalers Swimming and Diving Team’s victory over the Chiefs from Massapequa, 93-91. Brilliantly coached by Ken Ilchuk and Randy Corcoran the meet came down to the last event, the 400 Freestyle Relay.
Based upon previous swims, it was clear that the Massapequa Chiefs would win this relay event, so in order to prevail the Dalers needed their two relay teams to finish second and third. Coaches Ilchuk and Corcoran calmly decided to split their relay teams, placing faster girls on both teams. The team of Lorraine Pye(SR), Nora Reade(JR), Jen Barnola(SO) and Sara Golshar(FR) did their job finishing second. The “second” team was led by Alexandra Pyros(SR), who held her ground against a tough opponent, Sarah Hecht(SO) followed and handed off the Lindsay Gehlbach(JR). Both girls swam well, giving up ground to two very good Massapequa swimmers. Then the magic began.
Anchoring this relay was Marissa Boccio(SR). As she left the block she was about 15 yards behind the Massapequa swimmer and her team was in 4th place. She made up half that distance in the first 50 yards. She then battled her way to a dramatic victory by half a body length. The entire Daler team went crazy and were joined by the crowd, that was standing, cheering and yelling during the entire race. Who says swimming and diving is boring!
The Dalers appeared fueled by a “pow wow” held over the weekend and were determined to compete well against their Conference II rival. Other highlights of this meet included: first place finishes by Boccio(SR) in the 200 Individual Medley and the 100 Freestyle; Sarah Hendrickson(JR) in Diving and the 50 Freestyle; and the 200 Freestyle Relay team consisting of Hendrickson(JR), Jill Anesta(SR), Pye(SR) and Boccio(SR).
Strong second place contributions by Reade(JR) in the 200 Freestyle and the 100 Backstroke; Pye(SR) in the 500 Freestyle; and Alexis Rzempoluch(SR) in the 100 Breaststroke; and the Medley Relay team of Jessica MacKenzie(SR), Rzempoluch(SR), Hendrickson(JR) and Anesta(SR); and another 200 Freestyle Relay team of Golshar(FR), Gabe Aleman(SO), Leah Fishman(SR) and Jen Barnola(SO) added to the excitement of the meet.
Other outstanding swims were also turned in by Pye(SR) in the 200 Freestyle; Golshar(FR) and Anesta(SR) in the 50 Freestyle; Lindsay Gazzo(SO) in the 100 Butterfly; Pyros(SR) in the 500 Freestyle; and Gelhbach(JR) and Julianne Littell(SR) in the 100 Backstroke.
The girl’s season continued against Syosset, another Conference II opponent. On paper it appeared that the meet would be close, but the girls started out well and never looked back and gained a 99-86 victory. The 200 Medley Relay team of MacKenzie(SR), Rzempoluch(SR), Hendrickson(JR), and Anesta(SR) started off the meet finishing first in the 200 Medley Relay. Other first place finishes were turned in by Boccio(SR) in the 200 Individual Medley and the 100 Freestyle; and Hendrickson(JR) in Diving. Both the 200 Freestyle Relay team of Hendrickson(JR), Anesta(SR), Pye(SR), and Boccio(SR) and the 400 Freestyle Relay team of Golshar(FR), Reade(JR), Pye (SR), and Boccio(SR) finished first.
The highlight of the meet was the one, two, three finish of the Lady Dalers in the 50 Freestyle led by Hendrickson(JR), Anesta(SR) and Golshar(FR). Other strong swims were turned in by Pye(SR) and Reade(JR) in the 200 Freestyle placing second and third; Lindsay Gazzo(SO) and Littell(SR) in the 100 Butterfly; Golshar(FR) and Barnola(SO) in the 100 Freestyle; Pye(SR) and Pyros(SR) in the 500 Freestyle also finishing second and third; Reade(JR) and Gelhbach(JR) in the 100 Backstroke; and Lauren Connors(SR) in the Breaststroke.
There are two more dual meets on the schedule for the Lady Dalers. Then championship season begins with Divisions at 5 p.m. on Oct. 27, (diving) and at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 29 (swimming). Counties for swimming begin at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 6 and continue at 2 p.m. on Nov. 7. Diving takes place at 5 p.m. on Nov. 4. These meets take place at the Nassau County Aquatic Center.
