Let’s go over the basics: If you’re a boy attending public school in any community beginning with the word “Rye,” you’re eligible to compete on the 2015-2016 Rye combined boys’ swim team.
By Mitch Silver
Let’s go over the basics: If you’re a boy attending public school in any community beginning with the word “Rye,” you’re eligible to compete on the 2015-2016 Rye combined boys’ swim team. Last week, the team showed how strong they can be when they splash and dive together.
Start with diving. On January 28, Rye High sophomore Michael Ackert dove repeatedly into the SUNY Purchase pool and emerged the winner of the Conference 2 League 1 diving title. His score of 261.60 off the one-meter board bested New Rochelle’s Mark Sears by more than 45 points.
Meanwhile, Rye senior Liam Egan was a double winner, taking both the 50-yard freestyle and the 100 butterfly. Fellow freestyler Christian Huber took silver in the 50 and 100 races to join Egan in qualifying for States in March. Rye High senior Thomas Mackey won the 100-yard breaststroke, finished fourth in the 200-yard IM, and swam the second leg on Rye’s 400-yard freestyle relay, which came in second behind New Rochelle.
Overall, the team finished third. Coach Lara Vivolo was upbeat afterwards. “We did well Saturday. I was hoping to squeak into second place, but New Rochelle was too strong for us to catch. I am very proud of the boys — we beat Ardsley and Westlake, who defeated us at our dual meet.”
She added, “I have a good feeling the boys will step up at Sectionals this weekend. In the relays, we’re headed to States in the 400 and I think we can make it in the 200-free relay. I have faith!”