On Oct. 8, the Manhasset Girls Swim Team hosted Garden City at Great Neck North Middle School. Although one-sided, the two teams have shared a competitive, yet healthy rivalry since the inception of the Manhasset Girls Team in 1992. During this stretch, the Indians have come close often but yet to win against perennial powerhouse Garden City. The fact is, Garden City has only lost to Long Beach, Sewanhaka and Bellmore-Merrick. At one point, Garden City had won 102 consecutive dual meets. The Trojans currently hold a 15-year consecutive streak of winning the overall Nassau County Championships.
The Indians were prepared for a championship meet and felt confident about their chances to breakthrough for the victory. They also knew that Garden City would be well prepared, resilient and display their championship mettle that has helped them dominate Nassau County Girls swimming for the past three decades.
The Manhasset team opened the meet with a 12-2 lead, taking first and second (Grace Kenlon, Francesca Antonopoulos, Megan Smith, Garrity Kuester and Meredith Johnson, Allegra Sodi, Claire McNeary and Maddy Kang) in the 200 Medley Relay. The lead remained at 10 after Kylie Mulholland took first and Julia Henry fourth in the 200 Freestyle. In the 200 IM, McNeary, Smith and Sodi placed first, second and fifth to open up a 31-15 lead. McNeary’s IM time qualified her for the New York State Championships. Manhasset’s Kuester and Kang finished second and third in a closely contested 50. The score MHS 38-GC 24.
Although the Indians had a comfortable lead, they knew the next few events would be the toughest. The Indians were prepared for Garden City to swim to their strengths and try to make their move, and they did just that.
After the 1m diving, 100 Butterfly and 100 Freestyle, the score was Garden City 58 Manhasset 52. In the 500 Free, Mulholland took first qualifying for States with a time of 5:12.48. Garden City took second, third and fourth to open the lead to eight. Both teams knew the next event, 200 Free Relay, could be the pivotal event. The race for first came down to a touch and a tenth of second. Unfortunately for Manhasset, Garden City got the touch and also captured the critical third-place points. The score GC 77 MHS 63 with three events left. Although Garden City had recaptured the momentum, the Manhasset team remained hopeful knowing they had two very strong individual events left in them.
The next event, Manhasset backstrokers, McNeary, Kenlon and Johnson, took first, second and fourth to cut the lead to six. McNeary’s time of 1:00.35 qualified her for States. The pool deck came alive. The standing room only crowd was on their feet. Swimmers from both teams lined the edge of the pool cheering teammates on during every stroke and each turn. In the last individual event, the 100 Breaststroke, Sodi, Kuester and Antonopoulos placed first, second and third to give Manhasset the lead, 88-84. Both teams huddled-up and strategically prepared their relays for the meet’s last event, the 400 Free Relay. Manhasset would need first or a second and third finish to win the meet. Garden City had their top relay left but would also need third to win. Manhasset’s top relay was composed of Henry, Mulholland, Vanessa Zhang and McNeary. The second relay team was comprised of Olivia Garvey, Rose Marie Donnell, Kenlon and Johnson.
When the relay race began, the crowd went wild. Garden City opened up with a slight lead.
During the second leg of the race, Manhasset battled to control the second and third spot. In the third leg, Garden City was clearly in first and Manhasset second and fourth. In a nail-biting finish, Manhasset’s anchor, Johnson, took control of third place with a one second lead that secured Manhasset’s victory. Final score: MHS 94 GC 92.
Congratulations to the team and coaches on this historic achievement!
