East Hampton/Pierson Boys Swimming Tops Northport on Senior Night, Prepares for League II Championships

When Northport walked through the doors of the East Hampton YMCA RECenter with only five swimmers on Thursday, January 19, it was clear the East Hampton/Pierson boys swim team was going to win the meet. But the Bonackers still put forth strong efforts, especially their five seniors, who were honored just before what was their final home meet.

East Hampton topped Northport, 83-49, to finish the League II regular season at 3-3, and was 5-4 overall. That placed Bonac fourth in the league behind undefeated Half Hollow Hills, Ward Melville (5-1) and West Islip (4-2).

As previously mentioned, East Hampton honored its five seniors prior to the meet, which included East Hampton’s Daniel Rossano, Tenzin Tamang and Luke Tarbet and Pierson’s Nicky Badilla and Ottatvio Petrocino.

“This meet is always a special event for all involved,” head coach Craig Brierley said. “Coach Brian [Cunningham] and I would like to thank our seniors, and their families, for all of your commitment and dedication that you have given to our team. We want to wish our senior swimmers the best in your pursuit of success, and we hope you find what truly makes you happy. It has been a privilege to know you and to coach you. You are, and will always be, a member of our ‘swim family.’”

As Brierley noted, the seniors took the opportunity to shine in their final home meet. Each one contributed to the win in their own way.

Badilla won the 50-yard freestyle (24.26 seconds) and 100-yard breaststroke (1:13.76) in personal bests. Petrocino swam the 50-yard backstroke as a member of the “B” medley relay team in a season’s best time and also competed the 200-yard individual medley for the first time, fulfilling his obligation as a senior to complete the event, Brierley said.

Rossano swam his 50-yard freestyle in a personal best (29.76 seconds) and took part in all three relays. Tamang won the 100-yard butterfly in a personal best (54.79 seconds), and like Rossano, competed in all three relays. And Tarbet finished with personal bests in his two events, the 50 free (24.72 seconds) and 100 fly (59.65 seconds).

Typically, teams captains choose the Swimmer of the Meet after each meet, but because the team wanted to honor its captains, it made the decision to select Rossano and Tarbet for the distinction.

“Daniel and Luke had wonderful swims in the meet and the team wanted them to be called out for that,” Brierley said. “They also earned the respect of their teammates throughout the entire season. As captains, they upheld the legacy of the boys that graduated before them, and they led the team with great pride and integrity and the coaches are so appreciative of that.”

The Bonackers will now prepare for the League II Championships, which are at Ward Melville High School on February 2 at 4:30 p.m.