Two From Sachem Qualify for State Swim Meet

This weekend the Sachem East girls varsity swim team competed at the Section XI state qualifier meet.

"Overall it was a fantastic season finishing off with a great meet," said Sachem coach Kathleen Dugan.

East sent five swimmers in individual events, compared to only two last season and overall sent seven swimmers for relays at Suffolk Community College's Brentwood campus.

"The girls stepped up and we saw a lot of personal bests," Dugan said. 

Some highlights from the meet came in the 200 and 400 freestyle relays, both relays smashed school records.

The 200 free relay was made up of Kianna Papele (26.86), Mary Ansman (27.16), Brenna Dowd (26.99) and Valerie Zeffiro (25.05) with a final time of 1:46.09 and placed eighth overall.

The 400 freestyle relay was made up of Carla Palma (58.29), Brenna Dowd (59.07), Mary Ansman (59.55), Valerie Zeffiro (54.86) with a final time of 3:51.76 and placed sixth overall.

Individual event highlights:

• In the 100 back Valerie Zeffiro qualified for the state meet with a 1.00.52 placing 4th overall. She qualified or the New York State meet.
• Mary Ansman: 100 free, 58.86
• Kianna Papele: 50 free, 26.71 and 100 breast, 1:16.41
• Brenna Dowd: 200 free, 2:09.18 and 500 free, 5:44.42
• Abigail Groffmann: 100 back, 1:06.28

"I was very happy with the girls and how they competed this season," Dugao said. "While we will be loosing some valuable seniors this season we are looking forward to a successful future and many many more highlights to come."

As for Sachem North, Rachel Heymach scored 420.35 points. She missed second place by 0.40 points, but easily broke the school 11-dive record. She qualified or states.