Smithtown/Hauppauge swimmers claim Suffolk title
Smithtown's John Holler races in the bonus heat of the 100-yard breaststroke at state public schools championships on March 5, 2022. Credit: Bridget Fetsko
The swimmers and divers from the Smithtown and Hauppauge school districts proved to be a winning combination.
Led by senior captain John Holler (Smithtown East) the Smithtown/Hauppauge team captured the team title at the Suffolk County swimming championships Saturday afternoon at Stony Brook University.
Holler won the 200 individual medley (1 minute, 54.17 seconds) and placed third in the 100 freestyle to lead the schools to their first crown.
“It was a very exciting moment for all of us from Smithtown and Hauppauge,” Holler said. “It was the first time that either school had won a county championship so to win it together was amazing,”
Holler said the performance of the teams’ divers was critical to winning the team title.
“We got 61 points from our divers and that was a huge help in our win,” Holler said. “They dove Thursday afternoon and gave us a nice jump with big points towards the team title.”
Junior Colin Buscarino of Hauppauge won the diving event and qualified for the state meet. Teammates Danielle Krause placed third, Sydney Poulis (sixth) and Kristen Krause (seventh). All three divers attend Smithtown East.
Holler, who finished 14th in the 200 IM at the state meet last year is looking forward to this year’s event, scheduled to be held March 3-4 at Ithaca College.
“My goal is to finish top three in the 200 and I am currently ranked fifth in the state,” Holler said.
Smithtown/Hauppauge won the team title with 327.5 points, Connetquot/East Islip scored 267, Ward Melville 224, Half Hollow Hills 217 and Huntington/Harborfields 215.
The relay teams of Holler, Dylan Gallub, Tyler Gallub and Alex Trzakowski won the 200-medley (1:37.83) and the 200-freestyle medley relay (1:27.12). All four student-athletes attend Smithtown East.
Dylan Gallub was fourth in the 50 freestyle and Trzakowski was fifth in the same race.
“The divers’ performance gave us a huge boost towards the team title,” said Smithtown/Hauppauge coach Ray Willie. “And winning the 200-medley relay and the 200 freestyle relay enabled us to seal the deal. Holler really came through in the 200 IM. I think overall we all improved in our events this season.”
Perhaps the closest race belonged to Comsewogue senior Noah Giunta. He earned his third straight title in the 100-butterfly, clocking in 50.09. Evan Spagnoletti of Huntington/Harborfields/Whitman placed second in 50.52.
Giunta also finished second in the 100-yard backstroke.
“I went out faster than Spagnoletti and he closed on the last lap,” said Giunta, who will swim on scholarship at Iona in the fall. “It was pretty close as he closed the gap. I’d but I had built a big enough lead to hold him off. It was a great race.”
Martin Perecinsky of Kings Park was named the Most Outstanding Swimmer at the meet after he won the 100 backstroke in an All-American time of 49.84, and the 200 free (1:40.86).
Gregg Sarra is Newsday's high school sports editor and has been on the beat since the mid-1980s.
