The Rye/Blind Brook combined Boys’ Swim team sent only ten athletes to Sectional trials February 10 and 11. Six made their way into the point-scoring finals. 

By Mitch Silver

The Rye/Blind Brook combined Boys’ Swim team sent only ten athletes to Sectional trials February 10 and 11. Six made their way into the point-scoring finals.  

Co-captain Andrew Destaebler had an outstanding two days, racing to personal bests in both of his individual events. He went 57.51 in the 100 backstroke in the qualifier, and came back 24 hours later to finish 10th overall in 58.51. It was a similar story in the 100 free, as the senior posted a personal best of 49.63 on Tuesday before finishing 7th in the Wednesday final.

Coach Lara Vivolo also praised junior Thomas Mackey. “He had a phenomenal meet. His 200 IM time in the trials was only twelve-hundredths of a second off qualifying for States. As it was, he finished 8th overall, and 7th in the 100 breast, breaking 1:02 in qualifications.”

The coach also made a note of Blind Brook sophomore Ryan Bedell, who broke the five-minute barrier in the 500 free with a time of 4:59.96, good for 12th place. “We placed 11th out of 24 teams, and both our relays were in the top ten,” Coach Vivolo said. “Our 400 free came in 9th and our 200 medley was 10th.”

Michael Ackert and senior Co-Captain Pat MacAulay both qualified for the State meet at the end of the month. The coach had a shout-out for MacAulay. “Pat was sick this week and didn’t swim well. Here’s hoping he rests and gets better for States!”
Second the motion.