H-ton Girls’ Swimming Regroups for Future

The Huntington girls’ swimming and diving team is in the process of regrouping after senior Kathryn Montesfusco reached the state championships in her final season with the Blue Devils.

Coached by Christopher Helmke and Meg McConnell, Huntington is the host high school for a team that is combined with Walt Whitman, Harborfields and John H. Glenn. The squad finished fifth in the conference and eighth in Suffolk and garnered the League I team sportsmanship award.

Eight Blue Devil swimmers are eligible to return next fall, including current eighth graders Gemma Bedell, Allison Hahn, Avery Joynt, Sena Kopf and Ella Van Horn along with freshman Jessica Lee and sophomores Nina Fascilla and Isabelle Gregorio.

“Our goal for next year is to increase the numbers of combined swimmers along with Harborfields, Walt Whitman and John H. Glenn,” Helmke said. “The combined team worked out successfully this season. We want to continue to attract motivated swimmers and divers to our team as well as maintain a high level of dedication, sportsmanship and teamwork. Athletes will work to improve upon their individual best times and improve our league, county and state standings.”

Montefusco leaves after again capturing All-League, All-County and All-State honors. Kopf also turned in a standout season.

“Sena is new to our team, but not new to swimming,” Helmke said. “She swam the 50 and 100 butterfly for us this year, slowly improving her times throughout the season. She advanced to the league championships in the 100 butterfly.”

The four high school combined team meshed exceptionally well together, culminating at the county championships when the squad placed eighth in a field of 25 teams.

“We are continuing to recruit new swimmers and divers and intend to add to our roster,” Helmke said. “We expect our remaining athletes to return as we continue to advance and improve upon our speed and team depth. I’m looking forward to next year.”

Interested in swimming for the Blue Devils? Send a message to Helmke at chelmke@hufsd.edu.