Swimming toward success: Lynbrook comes together to capture conference championship

It is only fitting that the Lynbrook Pool swim team’s motto is “As One,” because they banded together to win the Conference II championship for the first time in nearly a decade this summer.

“It was a pretty good feeling watching the kids come together as one and really cheer on each other and be there for each other,” said TJ Virgona, who completed his second year coaching the team. “It was nice to watch them win something that they deserved. I can’t think of a better group of kids to win it.”

Lynbrook took second place in its division this season, finishing with a 4-1 record in its meets. The season began on May 30, and the championship meet took place at the Valley Stream Pool on Aug. 12. The meet was comprised of teams representing Garden City, the Town of Hempstead Rath Pool (Franklin Square), the Echo Park Pool Complex (West Hempstead), New Bridge Road Park (Bellmore) and Hempstead.

Virgona, who graduated from Lynbrook High School in 2010 and started swimming for the Lynbrook Pool’s team when he was 9, praised his assistant coaches, Lauren Caliendo, Kelly Forster and Jack Hunter, for dedicating their time and energy to helping the swimmers prepare. He also said Supervisor of Parks Pat McDermott offered tremendous support, along with the parents of the swimmers.

The team is comprised of swimmers ages 6 to 17. Virgona said all of the team members performed well at the championship meet, including Kate Duffy at the 100-yard breaststroke, and Chris Paladino at the 50-yard backstroke.

To celebrate, Virgona said the team recently enjoyed a pizza party at Greis Park. “They were ecstatic,” Virgona said of his team’s reaction to winning. “The program has grown a lot, and they were happy to finally take home something that they’ve been working toward for the last couple of years.”