A Bittersweet Farewell on Girl’s Varsity Swimming and Diving Senior Night

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Gianna DiPasquale, Staff Writer

The walls were lined with posters of inside jokes and funny pictures as the girls’ Varsity Swimming and Diving team celebrated its final home meet against Commack/Northport on Friday, October 23rd.

Although Commack/Northport won 87-85, the girls swam well and celebrated the accomplishments of seniors Katie Wang, Melissa Riddle, Michaela Gomez, Brittany Coughlin, Casey Gavigan, Sarah Sun, Katrina Blasco, Jen Yavid, Emily Miller, and Amanda Franko. The girls were honored with heartfelt speeches by underclassmen and gifts from their coaches.

“It’s bittersweet,” says team captain Brittany Coughlin, “It’s unreal how fast 4 years went and I can’t believe this is my last home meet forever. But it’s been so much fun and I know the team will continue to strive and work hard. I am definitely going to miss all of the girls and our coaches Gordon and Perfetti. I’m also going to miss my second home…the pool! I have had so many memories that I truly am going to cherish forever.”

Another varsity captain, diver Amanda Franko, expressed similar nostalgia, “It was kind of the first realization for me that time at Ward Melville was coming to an end, and it was amazing to think about the accomplishments we’ve made as a team and how we’ve all grown so close and worked hard all of these years.”

The girls will clearly be missed, but they are not done yet. The team will compete again in the County Championships this weekend.  The divers will compete on Friday, November 6th at Hauppauge High School, while the swimmers will compete at Suffolk County Community College on Saturday, November 7th.