Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA Swimmers Set 7 Records at Long Island Holiday Invitational Meet

The following information was provided by The Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA.

The Fanwood Scotch Plains YMCA (“FSPY”) swim team competed against thirteen teams from four states at the Long Island Holiday Invitational, held at the Nassau County Aquatic Center in December.    FSPY competitors won 23 individual events and 7 relays, setting 7 team records (“TR”). 

Seventy-one FSPY swimmers scored (top 16) in individual events.  Contributing to this team effort, Abigail DiGiorgio, Monika Burzynski , and Nolan Kearns provided “breakout” performances by earning “high point” awards within their age groups for the first time in their young careers.  FSPY high point award winners were DiGiorgio (first, 8 & under), Burzynski (second, 11-12),Kearns (second, 13-14), Sarah Cronin (first, 15-18), Sarah Davis (first, 13-14), Ryan Gajdzisz (second, 15-18), and Molly Gaynor (second 15-18). 

In individual events, first-place finishes were earned by  DiGiorgio (25 breast (TR), 50 breast (TR), 50 free, 100 free (TR), 100 Individual Medley (IM)), Burzynski (100 back (TR), 100 fly, 50 fly, 100 free), Kearns (400 IM, 200 IM), Cronin (200 back (TR), 200 IM, 200 free, 100 free), Gaynor (400 IM, 200 fly, 100 fly),  Davis (50 free (TR), 100 free), Jodie Thompson (100 breast (TR), 200 breast), and Nicholas Giardiello (500 free).  Additional “top five” finishes were earned by each of these swimmers and by Eric Chang  (5 events), Gina Bratti (3), Matthew  Chen (3), Harry Clewell (3), Elle Priesing (3), Julia Bonhote (2),  Isabella Iacona (2), Connor Jablonski (2),  Jeremy Kronheimer (2), Tyler Lessner (2), Savannah Llewellyn (2) , Joe Baron (1),  Jonathan Baron (1), Lily Dimon (1), Dan Drozdzewicz (1),  Alexa Fazio (1), Erika Frazier (1),  Connor Moore (1), Richard Panikiewsky (1),  Alex Skoog (1), James Sullivan (1), Morgan Tsin (1), and Nick Venditto (1).

In medley relays, FSPY teams finished first in the boys 13-14 age group and in the girls 8-and- under, 11-12, and 15-18 age groups.  FSPY freestyle relays touched first in the girls 11-12, 13-14, and 15- 18 age groups.   Members of these first place relays included Kearns, Heath, Chang, and Baron (boys 13-14),  Priesing,  DiGiorgio,  Dimon and Fazio ( girls 8-and-under), Bratti, Burzynski, Frazier and Maizes (free) VonOehsen (medley), (girls 11-12), Davis, Musso, Daudelin and Stankiewicz (girls 13-14), Cronin, Gaynor,  Llewellyn and Thompson (girls 15-18).

Head Coach Chris Karelus was encouraged by the team’s overall performance and team’s second place finish overall.  For more information on Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA’s swim team programs, please call (908) 889-8880 or email Chris Karelus, Y Head Swim Coach at ckarelus@fanwoodscotchplainsymca.org. 

The Y is the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. For information on membership or programs, or to request a schedule of classes, please call the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA at (908) 889-8880 or visit the Y’s website at www.fanwoodscotchplainsymca.org. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify.