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Fair Wantagh's Olympian receives key to the town
Olympic diver Andrew Capobianco had the Wantagh and Seaford communities rooting for him as he earned a silver medal in the men’s 3-meter synchronized springboard event with partner Michael Hixon last month in Tokyo.
Now, the 21-year-old has acquired another special token — one that represents his home town.
More than 100 people gathered in front of Mandalay Elementary School in Wantagh — Capobianco’s alma mater — on Aug. 10 to welcome him home. Capobianco came with his girlfriend, Anne Fowler, his parents, Darlene and Michael, his brothers, Matt and Christian, and his grandfather John Kilkenny and wife Pat.
“It’s overwhelming to see everyone here supporting me and cheering me on through this whole journey,” Andrew told the crowd. “Whenever someone asks me where my home is, I always say Wantagh, New York. I moved when I was 13, but throughout my whole journey, this is the place where I’ve gotten the most support, and especially when I was there in Tokyo, I definitely needed your support, and you all came through.”
Capobianco was the first seventh-grader ever to win a Nassau County diving title when he competed for Wantagh High School. He broke the county scoring record, and did so again the following year. At age 13 he moved to North Carolina with his family, and went on to attend Indiana University.
One of his Long Island coaches, George Taylor, shared his experience coaching Capobianco at the high school and with Long Island Divers. “[He’s] one of the most humble kids that I’ve ever coached,” Taylor said. “I knew just from talking to him that he had something in him. You could see it in his father also. His father wanted the absolute best for him — so did his mom, but especially Dad.”
Taylor noted that Capobianco’s perseverance is part of what made him an Olympic medalist. “He always came to practice, never had a problem — he’s one of the best kids you could have ever coached,” Taylor said. “You wish you had a million of him.”
Kieran Krowl, of B K Gymnastic Center in West Babylon, commended Capobianco for his kindness. Krowl worked with Capobianco, who was then a gymnast, in 2009.
“He’s a great diver, but he’s really a great person, and that’s what it boils down to,” Krowl said. “I’m thrilled he won the silver medal, but I would’ve been just as thrilled knowing him, being able to be around him in my life … and this is where it all started. Anyone who goes to Mandalay: He walked through the same halls and sat in the same seats as you. So, dream big and work really hard, and you can do it.”
“On behalf of the 780,000 residents that live here in the Town of Hempstead, we could not be any prouder,” Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin told Capobianco at the gathering. “You are so gracious and sweet to take the time to be with us and share yourself with everybody.”
Clavin presented Capobianco with a key to the town to salute him. In a press release, Clavin said, “The key to the town signifies his link to our township during his childhood and to his family, and we hope he utilizes this key as a symbol that he is welcome back here anytime.”
Town Councilmen Bruce Blakeman and Chris Carini, Town Clerk Kate Murray, Receiver of Taxes Jeanine Driscoll and State Legislator Steve Rhoads were also in attendance. “This is such an awesome day, and it’s great that the community was able to come out and show their support,” Rhoads said. “Andrew, you serve as an inspiration for so many of our young kids out there.”
Capobianco, who said he aims to be a good role model to young athletes, offered them some advice. “No matter what sport you choose,” he said, “make sure you’re having fun and working hard, and … you can reach your goals.”
The ceremony concluded with some questions from the crowd for Capobianco, who said he planned to train for the 2024 Olympics in Paris. In the meantime, he will return to Indiana University this fall and compete at the NCAA level.
