Boys Swimming Captures Nassau Title

Four hundred eighty-nine points, four school records, six New York State championship qualifiers and countless best times added up to the Garden City High School boys swimming and diving team capturing their first county title in 14 years.

It marks the first time both the boys and girls team have held the county title at the same time.

Junior Joe Lozano was named meet MVP after winning and setting school records in both the 200 IM and the 100 Breaststroke.

Senior captain Matt Finnegan notched second place in the 50 Free and broke the school record - which happened to be held by his older brother. He also notched a critical third place in the hotly contested 100 Free. Brother and co-captain Dan Finnegan swam very well in both the 100 and 200 Free, placing 11th and 9th respectively.

Junior Kyle Zarriello placed fourth in the 100 Back and sophomores Connor Brown (second in the 200 Free and third in the 500 Free) and Delaney Hall (second in the 200 IM and fourth in the 100 Butterfly) also contributed critical points.

Other outstanding contributors were Frank Caponegro, Jon Ardito, Neil Quigley, Reed Bonvissuto and diver Matt Pena.

Freshmen sensations Ryan Brown, John Crafa, Chris Crafa, Pierce Senken and Chris Dorizas all swam well and showed the depth of the team and why it will be a force for years to come. Eighth grader John Gaffney made the final in the 500 Free, which is almost unheard of.

Garden City was also dominant in the relay events. Inspired by junior Frank Caponegro's "split" of a personal best 22 seconds, the boys 200 Free relay (Lozano, Brown, Finnegan and Caponegro) won first place and broke another school record. Senior co-captain Dan Finnegan led the way to victory in the 400 Free relay (Lozano, Finnegan, Finnegan and Brown).

Congratulations to coach Anne Sullivan and the entire team for a fitting end to an undefeated season. And good luck to Matt and Dan Finnegan, Joe Lozano, Frank Campanegro, Connor Brown and Delaney Hall as they travel to Webster, NY in March to represent Garden City at the New York State high school championships.

Submitted by Katherine Hall