Wasting little time, Huntington High School boys’ swimming team members are off to a strong start to the winter season. The Blue Devils, who are joined by teammates from Walt Whitman and Harborfields, raced past Connetquot/East Islip, 97-81.
The combined team of Huntington/Walt Whitman/Harborfields practices daily at the Huntington YMCA. It’s not unusual to see combined teams in boys’ and girls’ swimming. It’s common across the state. Huntington’s Meg McConnell serves as the team’s head coach.
There are 10 Huntington High School swimmers this winter with the balance of the roster coming from Walt Whitman and Harborfields.
Against Connetquot/East Islip, the Blue Devils were impressive. Pierre Leroy, Evan Spagnoletti and Lucas Spagnoletti all swam on the first place 200 yard medley relay team. Will Weber led off the team that finished second in the event. Finley eighth grader Sam Klaaren, who is swimming with the Huntington varsity this winter, led off the fourth place team in the event.
In the 200 yard freestyle, Jonathan Larice was second and Max Leroy was sixth. Pierre Leroy and Weber placed 1-2 in the 200 yard IM. Evan Spagnoletti finished third in the 50 yard freestyle.
Evan Spagnoletti and Lucas Spagnoletti placed 1-2 in the 100 yard butterfly. Larice, Weber and Max Leroy finished, second, fourth and sixth, respectively in the 100 yard freestyle. Pierre Leroy won the 500 yard freestyle and Klaaren was fifth. Larice and Lucas Spagnoletti swam the first two legs on the second place finishing 200 yard freestyle relay. Martin Newman swam the last leg on the fifth place finishing team in the 200 yard freestyle
Lucas Spagnoletti won the 100 yard breaststroke and Max Leroy was second in the 100 yard backstroke. Pierre Leroy, Evan Spagnoleti and Larice swam on the second place finishing 400 yard freestyle relay. Weber and Max Leroy swam the first and third legs, respectively of the third place relay in the same event.
The Blue Devils and their teammates from Walt Whitman and Harborfields are off to a great start. “Two kids made state cuts in the meet and a dozen qualified for counties,” McConnell said. “I’m very excited for this season!”
The Blue Devil squad also includes Andrew Ganley and Ethan Mortensen Last winter’s Huntington/Walt Whitman/Harborfields team finished second in the Section XI championships, trailing only Half Hollow Hills and outdistancing 24 other squads.