By Katie Wang and Eric Wang, Staff Writer and Sports Editor

The Ward Melville boys swimming and diving team had a remarkable season this year. The team had a nearly undefeated season with only one loss to Half Hollow Hills, which historically has been a dominant swimming power in Suffolk County for the past decade. The season featured wins over strong schools such as Hauppauge, Smithtown and Harborfields. The season culminated in other strong performances by the Ward Melville team at the Suffolk County League championships and the County championships.
Also notable this year were the performances by Peter Chiang and Evan Zhou, two swimmers who qualified for the state meet in Rochester. The times that both swimmers achieved is a testament to their hard work and dedication to the sport. Peter Chiang qualified for the 100-yard breaststroke, as he broke a minute in the process. Evan Zhou, who has been typically known for his strength as a freestyler, surprised teammates with a state time in the 100-yard butterfly. He was also very close to making the times in the 100-freestyle and the 50-yard freestyle.
Ward Melville also produced a relay team that nearly qualified for states. The relay team featured Evan Zhou, Peter Chiang, Matt Pozmanter and Andre Rastegar. The team nearly qualified for the prestigious meet in the 200 Medley relay.

Ward Melville fortunately ended its diving team drought. For the past two years, there having been any competing divers on the team.  However, this year, Jack Faraci stepped up and began diving for the first time in his life. In only three months, after much dedication and focus to his craft and technique as a diver, he was completing triple somersaults and back flips in and ultimately qualified for the county meet. He is looking to challenge the Ward Melville diving record and is on track to do so.

Ultimately, the team had a very successful year under the guidance of Coach Perfidy and Coach Gordon and with plenty of fun in the process. Specifically, the team sported their traditional “rap battles” as swimmers enjoyed writing and performing raps to eager teammates on bus rides home. While not everyone made states, counties or even leagues, from top to bottom, everyone had a role and contributed to a memorable season for the boys.