The Yonkers combined girls’ varsity swim team is halfway through the season and the team boasts a 5-1 record.
“Since the beginning of the season, the girls have improved immensely – from their times to their strokes, they’re striving for nothing but greatness,” said Co-Captain Allison Velazquez. “Collectively as a team, we have grown much stronger.”
Yonkers defeated Peekskill 89-69 on Sept. 6, Pearl River 88-80 on Sept. 10, Brewster 84-77 on Sept. 16, John Jay E. Fishkill 89-76 on Sept. 18, and Nyack 95-81 on Sept. 25.
Yonkers lost to Yorktown 90-86 on Sept. 13,when Yonkers was down by 16 points halfway through the meet but was able to come back to take the lead 82-80 going into the last relay. Yorktown won the last event, the 400 freestyle relay, which gave the team the win. Yorktown also had a diver, who added 6 points to their overall score, whereas Yonkers did not have a diver.
The most recent win was against Nyack High School, which was a close and exciting matchup. Just last year, Yonkers lost to Nyack twice – four points in a dual meet at Nyack and four points in the Divisional Championship Meet.
“We were looking forward to this matchup, especially at our home pool,” said said Yonkers swim coach Julie Schoenlank. “We knew it would be a close meet, but the girls showed up ready to win. And when they did win, the entire pool deck and stands erupted with joy. I’m so proud of what they have accomplished in only three years as a varsity team and what they have achieved for the City of Yonkers.”
During that matchup, there were three ties and several lead changes, and Yonkers was also down by 12 points after Nyack scored in the diving event. But Yonkers rallied in the second half of the meet and the turning point was in the 500 freestyle, where Yonkers placed first, second and third. Arianna May of Yonkers High School won the event with a time of 6:15.02. Elena Pruthi of Yonkers Montessori Academy placed second, and Sneha Sarkar of YHS placed third.
Yonkers also won the 200 freestyle relay, featuring Diana Martinez of Saunders, Gianna Gennarelli of YHS, and May and Emily Salazar of PEARLS. The same group of four also won the last event, the 400 freestyle relay, with a time of 4:13.93.
Two team records have also been broken this year. On Sept. 6, the girls set a new 200-yard medley relay record with a time of 2:04.70.
On Sept. 10, Elina Del Castillo broke the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 1:10.03. The old record was set in 2007.
“This season has been phenomenal so far and we have more to show before the season ends,” said Co-Captain Diana Martinez. “I’m extremely proud of this team and I’m glad to be a part of it. We are making history for Yonkers. We started off strong and we are determined to finish stronger.”
Co-Captain Ofelia Valadez added: “It’s exhilarating watching this group of diverse swimmers come together for a single purpose – to win. The proclivity for hard work that our team exhibits continues to amaze me as I see the dedication of every one of my teammates after each meet. We all have one goal, and it’s to put Yonkers on the map.”
