2010-11 Preview: Sachem East Boys Swimming

The Arrows varsity boys swim team at East will feature a potent mix of seasoned athletes and enthusiastic newcomers. Despite losing some key members to graduation, the losses should not hinder it since much state-caliber talent remains, aiming to consistently score and break some records.  

Last season's record: 6-3, League I

Coaching staff: Bill Kropp, who has coached at East since the program's inception in 2004 following the district split (he also coached two years prior at North, totaling nine years). He is joined by diving coach Rich Lemke, another experienced coach (11 years total) who got his start at North and also transferred to East at its beginning in 2004. 

Graduates: The biggest loss was three-time state qualifier Kyle Wilson, mainly a 200 and 500-yard freestyle swimmer who set school records in each last season (timing 1:45.41 and 4:46.42, respectively), as well records in the the 100-yard freestyle (48.80 seconds, also set in the 2010 season) and the 100-yard butterfly (53.83 seconds, set in the 2009 season). He attends the College of St. Rose upstate in Albany, swimming for the Golden Knights.

Matt Pamlanye, who qualified for states as a junior, also departed this past June. Competing heavily in the 50 and 100-yard freestyles, he shares the school record with Wilson and previous grads Colin Donaghy and Mike Ryan in both the 200-yard freestyle relay (1:30.77, set in the 2009 season) and the 400-yard freestyle relay (3:21.58, also set in the 2009 season). Pamlanye is also upstate, attending and swimming for SUNY Oswego.

Returners: Senior captain Daniel Donaghy, a fifth-year varsity swimmer, will be in the 50, 100 and 200-yard freestyle events as East's head "sprinter." Besides his ability in the pool, his leadership qualities coupled with a family pedigree - Colin is his brother - grant him considerable status on the team.

Another family tradition being forged: Junior Tim Wilson, younger brother of Kyle. Tim will also compete in the 200 and 500-yard freestyle slots. "He has a shot to make it to states," said Kropp, praising his ability to close out a race and adding that the awareness of his elder brother's accomplishments helps feed his own competitive fire. "He's the hardest worker. He always has that 'K. Wilson' on his mind. He wants to better than his brother."

Sophomore Cameron Byrne, who reset the school record in the 100-yard breaststroke at East's first meet on December 22 against Sachem North. His new time is 1:05.66, up from his previous record as a freshman during the 2010 season (1:05.91). "As a sophomore, he'll take more records off the board," said Kropp.

Yet another sophomore making an impact again this season is top-ranked diver Anthony Stefanelli, who outdid another top two divers (Kyle Gannon of Deer Park, and Ryan Savit of Half Hollow Hills) as a freshman to rank eighth among public school divers in the state, according to Kropp. In a supporting role is three-year varsity diver Eric Correia - the junior will be a reliable and consistent presence on the board, said Lemke. The 200-yard individual medley (IM) spot will be fellow sophomore Matthew Darcy, whom Kropp calls the team's most versatile swimmer.

Newcomers: Early in the season though it may be, several newbies of note are standing out for East. Kropp said senior Jack Garcia (50-yard freestyle) and junior Bryan Link (100-yard butterfly) both emerged as "big point scorers" in the December 22 meet.

Also, senior Michael Kalab took third in the 50-yard freestyle that day - a strong showing in his first meet ever. Rookie diver Lee Wade, a sophomore, was praised by both Kropp and Lemke for his fearlessness. "It's his first time on the board, and he's doing doubles," said Kropp. 

Lemke highlighted his forward approaches on the board, owing to his six years of experience as a gymnast: "I see a lot of potential. He has a hard work ethic - over break, he made the most practices. And he always has a high degree of difficulty." 

Wade agreed that there is some overlap in technique, especially in the approach where a balance of surefooted-ness and finesse is a must. The ending, though, requires some readjustment. "With diving, the only thing harder is I have to land on my head," he said.

Expectations: As in seasons' past, the big threats will come from Half Hollow Hills - Savit in the diving category, and its star swimmer Matthew DeBlasio in a slew of swimming events.

Ward Melville, too, looms as another team to watch. Fed by two club teams - the Three Village Swim Club and the North Shore Swim Club - the program has no shortage of talent, both veteran and surprise, to draw upon. 

And of course, there's the rivalry within the district. Kropp spoke highly of his North head coach Larry Saposnick and diving coach Al Scott (also head coach of the North girls swim team and of the Sachem Swim Club), but remained hopeful that East would retaliate for its 98-88 non-league loss to North on December 22 with a League win - as it had done last season.

Key meets:

• @ Sayville (Sayville Middle School), Jan. 5, 4 p.m.
• @ Ward Melville, Jan. 19, 4 p.m.
• Sachem North @ East, Jan. 21, 4 p.m.
• Deer Park/North Babylon @ East, Feb. 1, 4 p.m.
• Hills @ East, Feb. 4, 4 p.m.