By:John C. O'Connell
The Valley Stream Swim Team came in a proud second on Saturday in the Nassau County Swim Conference against such competitors as first place Village of Hempstead, Long Beach, Echo Park, the Town of Oyster Bay and Bethpage Park. The 92 registered swimmers earned an historic accomplishment, according to coach George Amitrano.
"It's the first time any team has ended up in second place other than Long Beach, Hempstead or Garden City in the last 20 years."
The team's achievements sprang from solid sources. "We had a lot of great kids and a lot of hard work," Amitrano said. "We were short members in certain areas and the kids and the parents went out and recruited them. Our parents play a tremendous role. They raise the money for the kids, participating in a number of activities."
One of those parents thought the season was a great experience for her children on the team. Two of her three boys, aged 10 and seven - the third's too young for the team this year - "are so very happy," said mom Kathleen Keane. "To do so well in the A division, up against all the big pools, it's really terrific. Between the coaches and the lifeguards and the volunteers, and all the parents coming together, it was a really wonderful to see the community involved like this."
The parents raised enough money, Amitrano said, that the swimmers will celebrate their outstanding season at a banquet Wednesday night. "We've got 30 pizzas coming, three six-foot heroes, other food, soda galore, everything for the kids," Amitrano said Tuesday. "Tonight they're hosting a pasta party so the kids can load up on pasta for the [individual] championships tomorrow [Aug. 15]."
There was the dual meet competition on Saturday in which the team came in second, and then there's individual competitions for championships at the end of the year. Several Valley Stream swimmers have a shot at individual honors. "We've got a very good chance of probably four or five kids ending up as full county champions," said Amitrano.
