A record year for Wantagh swimming

It was a banner year for the Wantagh High School boys’ swimming program, as the team made it to the state tournament while breaking several school records along the way.

Two swimmers were Nassau County champions in individual events, while the team placed third overall at the county level. Eight school records were set this year under the guidance of coach Chris Rafferty.

The team was led by senior captains Alex Massa, John Eletto and Matt Zuelch, and junior Chase Kravetz. Massa set three Wantagh records — 200-yard freestyle, 500-yard freestyle and 100-yard breaststroke. He placed second in the county in the 100-yard freestyle, and third in 200-yard freestyle.

Rafferty described Massa as a “versatile weapon” who is an all-around athlete with the ability to succeed in any event. “He’s completely dedicated to the sport,” the coach said.

Zuelch set a school record in the 100-yard butterfly, and placed fourth in the county. The coached praised his solid work ethic. “He’s a great team leader, a great team captain,” Rafferty said of Zuelch.

Kravetz set a Wantagh record in the 50-yard freestyle. He was the county champion in that event, and also placed fifth in the state. Additionally, he placed third in the county in 100-yard freestyle. “He’s just a dedicated athlete,” Rafferty said, noting Kravetz’s quick speed.

Eletto placed 10th and 12th, respectively, in the 100-yard and 50-yard freestyle in Nassau County.

At the county championship, the team of Massa, Zuelch, Kravetz and Eletto were the top finishers in the 200-yard freestyle relay while setting a new Wantagh record. They moved on to the state tournament and finished ninth.

That same foursome also placed second in the 400-yard freestyle relay, setting yet another Wantagh speed record, and qualifying for the states. They would go on to place 10th at the state tournament in Ithaca the first weekend of March, in which Wantagh placed 17th out of 133 teams .

All the All-Conference meet, the 200-yard medley relay team of Zuelch, Jon Correa, Jeremy Eletto and Ryan McAleer broke the previous school record.

Zuelch, who has been on the team since seventh grade, said this has been the most successful season in his six years, and chalked it up to hard work and lofty goals by every swimmer. “Everyone was always just on task, working hard, wanted to do well as team,” he said.

Other key contributors for Wantagh included Brian Klotsche, Brendan Miranda, Brendan Arnold, Frank Reilly, Chris Soto and Johnny Rohan.

Rafferty credited Wantagh’s impressive showing this year to the hard work of the boys. He said it took a lot of commitment to go from a team that won one match two years ago, to earning the bronze at the county championships and qualifying for seven events at states. “It was a real standout year,” he said.

He also noted that the team does not have its own pool, as practices are held at the Nassau County Aquatic Center at Eisenhower Park. Rafferty added that the team raised $5,000 on its own for extra practice time.

While he knows it will be tough to lose his trio of senior captains next year, Rafferty remains optimistic. He said the team has much talent remaining among the underclassmen. “We have some motivated juniors that are excited,” he said. “They definitely have their eyes on big things for next year, too. I think we’ll be in good shape.”