New Hyde Park 12-year-old swimmer Samantha Merino had quite a weekend in upstate Buffalo setting a team record as she captured the 2012 state championship in the freestyle. Merino also placed first in both the 200 Medley Relay and the 200 Free Relay.
The Merino family is no stranger to success in the pool and will have to make room on the living room mantle as Samantha now joins her big sister Jessica, as Jessica is a swimming star at Scranton University.
State rules limit swimmers to three individual events during the state championships in which Merino competed at the highest level individually and also anchored the relay squad which included teammates and elite swimmers; Alexis Sarabia, Samantha Merino, Sheila Krische, and Cassie Scandalios also brought home the gold while setting a new team record.
Hats off to a fine young lady and her talented teammates for representing the community in a shining light and hearty congratulations for a terrific accomplishment.
