Newsday's All-Long Island boys swimming team 2024
Newsday's All-Long Island boys swimming team for 2024. Top row, from left: Vincent Vinciguerra of Ward Melville, Joseph Cash of Long Beach, Aaron Mendoza of St. Anthony's, Dylan Gallub of Smithtown-Hauppauge. Bottom row, from left: Tristan Yang of Jericho, Tristan Weingarten of Connetquot, Ethan Placencia-Nazareno of Comsewogue and coach Michael Cipollino of Syosset. Credit: Dawn McCormick
Newsday Swimmer of the Year: Max Buchen, Westhampton, Sr.
Two years ago, Buchen had given up on the sport of swimming. Now, he’s a state champion.
Westhampton Beach's Max Buchen. Credit: George A Faella
Buchen decided to step away from swimming in 2020 after the COVID-19 pandemic left him out of shape. But he had a change of heart last year and decided to get back in the pool.
“When he came back, he immediately blew my mind with what he was able to do after such a long hiatus,” said Mark Anderson, Buchen’s club coach.
At the state championships on March 2, Buchen placed first in the public schools and federation in the 100-yard breaststroke with an All-American time of 54.28 seconds. He also finished third in the 200-yard individual medley in 1:51.56.
“I wanted to win so badly,” Buchen said. “I knew the guys I was going up against had really similar times to me so if I was going to get the win, I had to be on my best time. I was able to do that and it felt great.”
Better yet, he was able to accomplish it as a senior.
“It feels great,” Buchen said. “There’s no better time to get a championship than your last season.”
FIRST TEAM
Joseph Cash, Long Beach, Sr.
He finished eighth in the 100-yard freestyle (46.62) and eighth in 200-yard free (1:42.16) at the state championship meet.
Dylan Gallub, Smithtown-Hauppauge, Sr.
He was a member of the fifth-place 200-yard medley relay team (1:35.36) and third-place 200-yard freestyle relay team (1:24.97) at the state championship meet. He also finished fourth in the state in the 50-yard freestyle (20.92).
Aaron Mendoza, St. Anthony’s, Sr.
He placed fourth in the state in the 100-yard butterfly (50.00) and second in the 100-yard backstroke (49.95). He was also a member of St. Anthony’s seventh-place 400-yard freestyle relay team (3:12.33).
Ethan Placencia-Nazareno, Comsewogue, Jr.
He finished sixth in the state in the 200-yard freestyle in 1:41.85 and 20th in the 100-yard freestyle in 47.37.
Vincent Vinciguerra, Ward Melville, Sr.
He finished fourth in the state in the 100-yard freestyle in 45.92 and second in the 200-yard freestyle in 1:40.36.
Tristan Weingarten, Connetquot, Sr.
He placed fifth in the state in the 50-yard freestyle (20.96), second in the 100-yard freestyle (45.47), and was a member of Connetquot’s fifth-place 400-yard freestyle relay (3:08.45).
Tristan Yang, Jericho, Soph.
He won the 1-meter diving title at the Nassau County championships with a score of 639.85, setting a Nassau County record. At the state championships, he finished second in the public schools and third in the federation.
Coach of the Year: Michael Cipollino, Syosset
He guided Syosset to an undefeated dual-meet season and the Nassau championship.