On Thursday, Nov. 19, Manhasset swimmers Kylie Mulholland, Grace Kenlon, Allegra Sodi, Megan Smith, Madeleine Kang, Claire McNeary and Garrity Kuester traveled with Nassau’s State Team to Ithaca, NY to compete in the New York State Championships, which was being held on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 21 and 22 at Ithaca College.
At Friday’s preliminaries, a record number of five swimmers competing in two individual events each and two relays represented the Manhasset High School Indians. Friday’s goal was to improve the seed place and qualify for Saturday’s finals. Historically, many of New York’s state qualifiers achieve their personal best time to qualify for States and have a tough time matching that performance on the biggest stage for high school swimming. With a group of seven returning swimmers, Manhasset swimmers were experienced, poised and had higher expectations.
The Indians had a strong showing on Friday, qualifying both relays (200yd. Medley and 200yd. Free) and six individual swims for Saturday’s State Finals.
At Saturday’s finals, the girls had another strong performance, often improving their seed from Friday’s preliminaries.
The 200 Medley relay team of Kenlon, Sodi, Smith, Kuester finished 26th.
In the 200 IM, McNeary finished fourth place with a new school record time of 2:05.09. Senior Mulholland finished 14th place in a personal best time of 2:08.84.
In the 100 Butterfly, Smith finished 13th place, swimming a season best 58.14 and McNeary finished 21st in a season best time of 59.12.
Mulholland also placed 22nd in the 500 Freestyle and Smith 16th on the 100 Breaststroke.
Manhasset’s 200 Free Relay team of Kenlon, Kang, Kuester, Mulholland did well.
Before the meet was concluded Manhasset six-year varsity swimmers Kenlon and Mulholland were both recognized for individual honors. Kenlon was selected as Nassau County State Team’s Good Sport Award and Mulholland was recognized as a Scholar Athlete.
When the meet was concluded team scores were read off. Over 100 different teams had qualifiers competing at States. The Indians finished 20th as a team out of 83 teams that scored points.
Congratulations on an outstanding season.
