Lady Marines set for big finish

While Garden City appears well on its way to capturing a 12th straight Nassau girls’ swimming title, Long Beach is primed for a strong showing at next week’s county championships after finishing the dual meet season with a record of 7-1.

“Garden City is very fast and deep and hasn’t lost in 11 years,” Lady Marines coach John Skudin said. “I’m thrilled with what we’ve accomplished so far and we’re gearing up to swim our best times in the division and county meets.”

Long Beach’s only loss came at the hands of Garden City on Oct. 16. With senior diver Kim Harris, senior Taylor Brooke and sophomore Cady Zawatson leading the way, the Lady Marines recorded wins over Massapequa, Great Neck South, Wantagh, Jericho, Bellmore-Merrick, Manhasset and Sewanhaka. “So many meets were toss-ups,” Skudin said. “We had to come from behind to win a few.”

The one given in every meet was a first-place finish in diving. Harris, who placed third in the state last season and won a county championship as a sophomore, never lost a dual meet in diving in six years. “We’re talking about 60 meets,” Skudin said. “Kim’s being recruited by a number of Division I schools. She’s matured as a young lady and is a tougher competitor mentally. It’s rare she has a bad dive, but if she does she won’t let it bother her.” Harris, who scored a season-high 281.10 in a 95-91 victory over Bellmore-Merrick on Oct. 9, also contributes in freestyle sprints and relay events.

Brooke, who holds school records in the 200 Individual Medley and 100 breaststroke and competed in the state meet as a junior, has developed into one of the top all-around swimmers in the county according to Skudin. Last season, she was Nassau runner-up in the 100 breaststroke and third in the 200 IM. “Taylor’s done great things for us,” Skudin said. Brooke finished first or second each time she swam the events in dual meets and is a key part of the team’s 200 Medley Relay. Her best times in both the 200 IM (2-minutes, 17.52 seconds) and 100 breast (1:10.45) came against Garden City, and she also won the 50 freestyle sprint twice.

Zawatson is the premier distance swimmer on the roster, having placed third in the county in the 500 freestyle and fourth in the 200 free as a freshman. She also holds the school record in each event. “She’s been swimming great and will look to finish in the top three in each event at the county meet,” Skudin said.

Eighth-grader Kellie Cannon has impressed in distances as well and took first in the 500 in three dual meets. Senior Amanda Paskatt and sophomore Zoe Papetti lead the way in freestyle sprints, junior Mallorie Larson is producing nice times in the 100 butterfly and backstroke, and eighth-grader Emma Harris and freshman Hayli Weitz complete the top diving trio in the county.