Senator Honors State Champ
Gunther Cassell
Gunther Cassell made history when the Huntington High School freshman swam his way into the record books as the Blue Devils' first ever state swimming champion this year. New York State Senator Carl Marcellino recently visited the school to present the pool star with a proclamation recognizing his impressive accomplishments.
Senator Marcellino was joined in the lobby of Louis D. Giani Gymnasium by Huntington Superintendent James W. Polansky, Director of Athletics Georgia D. McCarthy and Blue Devil swimming coaches Gil Smith and Meg McConnell.
The legislative resolution presented to Mr. Cassell noted that "excellence and success in competitive sports can be achieved only through strenuous practice, team play and team spirit, nurtured by dedicated coaching and strategic planning; and [that] competition enhances the moral and physical development of the young people of this state, preparing them for the future by instilling in them the value of teamwork, encouraging a standard of healthy living, imparting a desire for success and developing a sense of fair play and competition."
Mr. Cassell was exceptional in the 50 and 100 yard freestyle events, but he really made his mark in the 100 yard breaststroke, capturing the gold medal at the state swimming and diving championships in Buffalo.
"Gunther swam a great pace in the finals, shaving a full half-second off his winning time at the county championships and was 1/100th of a second off the required time for being named an All-American outright," Mr. Polansky said. "However, he is under consideration for All-American status and Coach Smith believes he has an excellent chance of getting it."
Mr. Cassell was all smiles during Senator Marcellino's visit to Huntington High School. He devotes an enormous amount of hours training in and out of season. The freshman's father just so happens to be a two-time state swimming champion. Geoff Cassell won his crowns for West Islip. The Blue Devils are hopeful the son will surpass his father's state title total.
Senator Marcellino succeeded in persuading his colleagues to pass a resolution showering praise on Mr. Cassell. The young man is also an outstanding student and is well-liked by teachers, classmates and teammates.
"It is the sense of this legislative body to recognize and pay tribute to those young people within the State of New York who, by achieving outstanding success in athletic competition, have inspired and brought pride to their school and community; and sports competition instills the values of teamwork, pride and accomplishment, and Gunther Cassell has clearly made a contribution to the spirit of excellence which is a tradition of his school," states the resolution.