The combined East Hampton and Pierson girls swim team met two of its toughest opponents in the water over the last two weeks, but even in an 89-81 loss to Ward Melville on Sept. 30 and a 90-85 loss to Half Hollow Hills on Oct. 8 there were splashes of brilliance.
Heidi Rizzo, a Pierson eighth grader, scored Section XI Meet qualifying times in the 200 freestyle and the 100 backstroke against Half Hollow Hills. And in the 200 free, Avienne O’Shea, an eighth grader from East Hampton, “gave her all,” said the coach, Craig Brierley, in finishing second by only seven-tenths of a second. Bonac’s 200 medley A relay team of Vanessa Rizzo, Heidi Rizzo, Lizzy Daniels, and Ginger Griffin posted a best time (1:54) and won it. The same relay squad had come in first against Ward Melville a week earlier.
“East Hampton kept it close by placing well in all the events, and that is a testament to the depth of our roster and the talent the Bonac girls have,” Brierley said in his weekly newsletter.
The captains recognized Molly Grande, a freshman, as swimmer of the meet against Half Hollow Hills. “In the days leading up to the meet, Molly was not feeling well, but was well enough to compete for her team on meet day,” Brierley wrote. “Initially she was given two events, as to not overdo it, but when a teammate was not able to swim an event, Molly offered to swim it for her, placing fourth and earning valuable points for the team. The captains also wanted to show their appreciation for Molly because of her selflessness when it comes to cheering on teammates. She is always at the end of the lane encouraging someone on.”
The team was to have a meet on Tuesday at Connetquot, and another Thursday against Sayville.
