Friday, May 16, 2025
In a remarkable display of individual excellence and teamwork, the Valley Stream Boys’ district swim team made its mark in Nassau County, securing All-Conference honors in just its second year of competition.
The team’s breakthrough performance was spearheaded by standout swimmers Justin Cruz, Wayne Wingson III, Magnus Gros, Marc Santamaria and Metehan Yilmaz, all of whom placed highly in individual events, with Gros leading the charge by earning All-Conference recognition in the 100 breaststroke.
The Herald sat down with Gros and asked about his experience, the preparation behind his personal best, and what makes swimming not just a sport, but a passion.
Magnus: Sure! In Nassau County, the teams are split into four conferences based on performance. To make All-Conference, you have to place in the top three in an individual event in your conference. For me, I earned All-Conference in the 100 breaststroke by placing in the top three in Conference 3. We had other swimmers, like Metehan and Marc, make it as well, which shows how strong our team was.
Magnus: Conferences are essentially groups of teams based on performance. Since our team was placed in Conference 3, that’s where we competed against other schools. There’s a lot of talent in our conference, so making All-Conference is a big deal.
Magnus: The 100 breaststroke is a sprint event, and breaststroke has always been my best stroke. There’s a rhythm and timing to it, and I’ve always felt that I excel at that. It’s a stroke that suits my body and my technique, and it’s a stroke that runs in my family. My dad swam breaststroke, and I guess it’s in my blood!
Magnus: Timing is everything in breaststroke. It’s not just about strength; it’s about finding the right rhythm between your pull, your kick, and your glide. For me, that’s where my background in music really helps. I think of it almost like keeping a beat, like playing a song on a drum or piano. If you can get the timing right, it makes all the difference.
Magnus: Yep! I play snare drum, piano, and I’m learning trumpet. It’s all about rhythm. I think that background helps me stay in sync with the movements of breaststroke, which is a huge advantage.
Magnus: I swim with Long Island Express, and that means I practice pretty intensely. I swim two hours a day, Monday through Friday, and then Sundays too. Balancing school and swimming can be tough, but I stick to a strict schedule. It’s all about managing time, making sure I stay on top of homework, eat right, and get enough rest.
Magnus: Honestly, the toughest part is getting through the daily practices. They’re mentally and physically tough but having the support of my teammates makes it easier. I also did a lot of muscle recovery and made sure I was in tip-top shape for the meet. I even shaved and wore a tech suit, which is a common practice for swimmers before big meets.
Magnus: I was really happy with my time! My previous best was 1:09.71, and I dropped almost two seconds to finish at 1:08.05. That’s a huge improvement, and hitting that personal best made all the hard work worth it.
Magnus: I’m definitely looking forward to continuing my swimming career. I’ve already started getting offers from colleges, and I’m considering pursuing both swimming and music in college. I’ve been looking at a few schools, like Fredonia University and SUNY Potsdam, and I plan on visiting more schools soon. I’m excited to see what the future holds!
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