Three Blue Devils Qualify for State Swim Championships

Three Blue Devil swimmers have already notched times qualifying them for this year’s state championships at Ithaca in March. Huntington’s Pierre Leroy and brother Lucas and Evan Spagnoletti have all posted results that will give them an opportunity to vie for coveted medals among New York’s best.

More Blue Devils are expected to qualify for the state championship in the coming weeks, including Mr. Leroy’s brother, Max, a Huntington sophomore.

Lucas Spagnoletti is a talented junior while Leroy and Evan Spagnoletti are both seniors intent on making this the best season of their respective swimming careers. Leroy has already committed to swim at Loyola University Maryland. Evan Spagnoletti is still working to finalize his college plans.

The Spagnoletti brothers have given Huntington a powerful 1-2 punch. The Blue Devils combine with Walt Whitman and Harborfields to form what’s regarded as a “super team.” Last year’s squad won the Section XI championship.

The Spagnoletti’s are going about their business in a typically understated way. The two teenagers are both hard workers who are happiest when they are in the water.

“My club swimming coach, Sean Hardick has been really pushing me throughout the year to be the swimmer I am today,” Evan Spagnoletti said. “My varsity coach, Sean Montalvo has also been working me to my maximum potential. I’ve not only grown stronger as a swimmer, but more disciplined as a person by these two coaches.”

The senior said he hopes to major in biology in college and take either a pre-med degree route or go into hospital management.

“Many people say I look tired, because I am tired,” Evan Spagnoletti admits. “From double swim practices, water polo, weight training and school work, I try to find that balance in my life. I try to spread positivity and laughter every day. Take advantage of every opportunity that is given to you and you will find success and happiness in life.”

The senior participates as a mentor in the New World club and as a member of the Math and Science Honor Societies. He is interning at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.

“This year, I am taking AP Calculus BC,” said the teenager about one of his course favorites. “I enjoy doing derivatives first period every day. Huntington High School has always been setting me up for success.”

Evan Spagnoletti accepts the price of winning. Last summer he trained every morning for swimming and water polo. He also occasionally worked with his father and the family painting business. “I hope to be top ten globally ranked in the 50 meter butterfly,” he said.

Lucas Spagnoletti is equally committed to his goals. “Coaches Sean, Helmke, Meg and Nick have been extremely influential, pushing me to be the best person I can be in and out of the pool by encouraging me apply my all in whatever I set my mind to,” he said.

The junior said he is interested in a career in the science/medical field. Academics are a priority in his life.

“Whatever school I decide on, I would also plan to swim as well,” Lucas Spagnoletti said. “I am a very hard worker whether in the classroom, in the pool or conducting [scientific] research. I do my best to balance swimming and academics. I want to go into science to figure out new ways to help people out. When I put my mind to something, I can be determined and motivated to reach that goal.”

The teenager is looking to peak for the league, county and state championships, but he has other athletic interests, too.

“I would also like to play varsity tennis again, after playing at divisions for tennis last year, hopefully to place higher this time,” Lucas Spagnoletti said.

The junior is continuing with a multi-year internship with the Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition. “I just finished creating and sharing a presentation about environmental health and concerns,” Lucas Spagnoletti said. “I have been avidly working on my research project focused on ‘the effects of Roundup resistant soybeans on Eisenia Fatida,’ which I hope to complete and submit to Long Island Science and Engineering Fair by January and further expand on the project by entering the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair next year.”

The teenager is currently enrolled in Advanced Placement Calculus BC, AP US History, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Computer Science, AP Bio, Science Research Honors, Spanish V Honors and he’s mentoring a class.

“I really enjoy helping out with Mrs. [Eileen] Gonzalez’s ENL class every day,” Lucas Spagnoletti said. “It has been a pleasure to watch the class grow not only their skills in English, but our relationship, as I feel like I have made great friends and connected with them deeply.”

The junior said he’s been enjoying a “great experience” at Huntington High School. “I have been taking advantage of the wide variety of AP courses and opportunities offered,” he said. “I have also made a lot of new friends this year that I am extremely grateful for. This year is off to a great start with academics and athletics.”

Last summer was a busy time as the teenager trained at 5 a.m. in the pool at Dix Hills. “Then I would usually go work at a lab or my internship the rest of the day,” Lucas Spagnoletti said. “It was a nice balance of training, learning, and hanging out with friends. In 10 years, hopefully, I will be able to help society and people by advancing in my scientific studies.”