South Side/Lynbrook swims to success

Posted

Led by double county champion sprinter Nick Rhodes and All-County record-setting diver Thomas McCarthy, South Side/Lynbrook boys’ swimming/diving enjoyed a breakthrough campaign that’ll continue with the six representatives competing at the state meet March 4-5.
The team, despite a junior heavy roster of only 17-deep, finished runner-up in Nassau Conference 2, won the Swimming Officials Association Sportsmanship Award, and produced an overall dual meet record of 8-1.
“We’ve had a great season,” said coach Ryan Clark. “We’re only losing two seniors and we’re looking to move into the top conference next season.”
Rhodes, a South Side junior, was named the Outstanding Competitor of the Nassau County Championships after taking home the 100-yard backstroke (50.61 seconds) and 100 butterfly (50.70) titles as well as handling the leadoff leg of the third-place (All-County) 200 Medley Relay. The meet was held Feb. 9-12 at the Aquatic Center.
“He loves racing and is very well-rounded,” Clark said of Rhodes, who was also the Division champ in the 100 fly and 100 breaststroke. “He’s so fast under water and stays under for the maximum time allowed by rule,” he added.

Rhodes combined with Lynbrook senior Dylan Monaco and Lynbrook junior twins David and Ramiel Fayngersh in the 200 Medley Relay at counties and finished in 1:38.84, one second behind runner-up Hewlett and 1.65 off the pace from first-place Plainview. Rhodes, Monaco and Ramiel Fayngersh were also part of the 400 Freestyle Relay which captured the Division crown. The 200 Medley Relay, with Lynbrook senior Samir Souidi also in the mix, is headed to the state meet at Ithaca College along with the school record holder in the 6- and 11-dive scores.
McCarthy, also a junior at South Side and already a five-year member of the team, placed fourth in the county diving championships with an 11-dive score of 469.45 and qualified for the state meet. He posted a high of 487 earlier in the season to establish a new school mark. “Thomas’ growth since he joined the program has been amazing,” Clark said. “He’s always been a talented diver. His scores over the past year and a half have just exploded.”
The addition of the Fayngersh’s, who recently relocated to the area, was huge with their versatility and performances, Clark noted. In addition to their contributions in relays, both thrived in the 100 breaststroke and 200 Individual Medley and earned All-Conference honors in both events. David Fayngersh placed seventh in Nassau in the 200 IM.
Souidi, who was part of the Division-winning 400 freestyle foursome, finished a solid 11th and 8th in the county in the 200 and 500 freestyle, respectively. He met the All-County qualifying times earlier in the season and will compete in both events upstate. “He’s been our go-to distance kid,” Clark said.