Four All-State Swimmers Pace Blue Devils in Pool

Four All-State swimmers paced the Blue Devil boys’ team in the pool this winter. It was one of Huntington’s best showings ever in the sport and included a state championship for senior Pierre Leroy.

Leroy was All-State in three different events in a spectacular display of talent. The teenager also finished second in the 200 yard freestyle and swam on Huntington’s 200 yard medley relay that placed eighth.

Leroy won the 500 yard freestyle in a blowout. His time of 4:32.50 was more than three full seconds faster than the silver medalist and gives him All-American consideration. His second place time of 1:40.46 in the 200 yard freestyle was just 1.12 seconds off the first place finisher’s time.

Senior Evan Spagnoletti placed sixth in the 100 yard butterfly in the excellent time of 50.59 second. The teenager also won All-State honors by swimming on the 200 yard medley relay that placed eighth. He swam the fastest 50 fly split in the entire state in the event.

Junior Lucas Spagnoletti and sophomore Max Leroy also grabbed All-State honors by swimming legs on the 200 yard medley relay that finished eighth in New York.

Huntington, which combines with Walt Whitman and Harborfields in swimming, had five All-County performers, including freshman Sam Klaaren.

The Blue Devils are coached by Meg McConnell and Christopher Helmke. “After such a tremendous season last year and knowing we lost many key contributors to graduation, our boys faced the season head on,” McConnell said. “The youngster swimmers truly stepped up and our new team members jumped right in with outstanding efforts. One of the best accomplishments this year was the medley relay qualifying early for states. That really helped solidify the potential for the boys looking toward the rest of the season. Another big accomplishment was the tremendous effort put forth at both our league and county championships, which was easily seen by all of the personal bests achieved by the boys.”

Pierre Leroy and Evan Spagnoletti led the way for Huntington. “Pierre is highly focused and driven to succeed,” McConnell said. “He’s a tremendous athlete who will be greatly missed next year. Evan is an extremely talented sprinter and butterflyer and a key member of our relays and he will also be missed next winter.”

The Blue Devils will coalesce behind Lucas Spagnoletti, Max Leroy and Klaaren and look to add some new swimmers.

“Our combined team continues to be a cohesive and well behaved group of true scholar athletes,” McConnell said. “The boys truly support each other regardless of ability, background in swimming or district from which they hail. The boys work hard together in practice and always put their best foot forward throughout the season at whatever pool we swim in. Our team includes top athletes in the state then all the abilities down to first year varsity members yet they all get along and encourage one another.”