By:TONY BELLISSIMO
"We're in great shape," LB Coach Woody Davis said. "We already won the division and we've got more than 10 days to get ready for Syosset. It's going to be a heck of a meet and I'm expecting a packed house."
If Long Beach brings its best, Syosset will have its hands full. The Marines are swimming considerably faster times compared to this time last season as Davis tinkers with the lineup. "I'm not going to commit to anything yet,
especially with the relays," he said. "It's a cat-and-mouse game, but it's fun. I'm very happy where we stand."
Junior Ben Gross has already met the state qualifying time in the 50-yard freestyle, going 22.41 seconds, and is part of outstanding 200 and 400 freestyle relays. He has anchored a 200 foursome including seniors Joe Farrell, Eric Gonzalez and Duncan Fraser that went 1:34.09, and teamed with Farrell, Gonzalez and senior Mike Popper to complete the 400 in 3:32.53.
Farrell, a first-year competitor, is on the verge of hitting the state qualifying time in the 100 freestyle (50.92) and has gone 23.61 in the 50. "He's got a lot of natural talent that runs in his family," Davis noted.
Junior Phil Cabasino has his sights set on the county diving title and scored a 210.45 on Tuesday. Sophomore Matt Demerest, and freshmen Tim Corrigan and Kyle Swan are excelling in the 200 Individual Medley, and sophomore Billy Papetti is doing the same in the 500 freestyle.
"Our depth is fantastic," Davis said. "Everyone is a step ahead of where they were last year. It's going to be an exciting race to the finish."
