CROSS RIVER, N.Y. - On Wednesday, Oct. 7, John Jay traveled to Mildred E. Strang Middle School hoping to continue its strong start to the season. Standing in the Wolves’ way was the combined Somers-Yorktown swim team, and the announcement of the final score drew an immediate reaction.
“Ugh, that’s our first loss,” sighed Cassidy Horel.
Despite the 49-45 defeat, the Wolves’ 3-1 record still gave them plenty to hang their swim caps on.
The biggest day belonged to Abbey Hehman, who finished first in the 200 medley relay with Isabelle Hehman, Taylor Belloni and Horel; the 100 freestyle; and the 400 freestyle relay with Alli Garofalo, Horel and Isabelle Hehman.
She also took first in the 200 individual medley, an event whose benefits extend beyond reaching the wall first.
“The IM is important because it really builds endurance, just doing the four strokes consecutively,” Hehman explained.
The 500 freestyle also tests a swimmer’s stamina, but Danika Maden believes the distance event does even more for her mental toughness.
“It’s the mindset and that impacts all your other swims,” said the third-place finisher.
Two places better, Belloni took first in the 100 breaststroke and credited her familiarity with the event.
“I swim the race a lot so I’m used to it,” she said. “I have a good strategy down.”
Also part of the winning 200 medley relay, Belloni compared the teamwork involved to making music.
“You’ve got to work together to play each part,” she said.
Horel didn’t mind going solo, either. She placed first in the 200 freestyle and took a practical approach to explaining her love of the sport.
“It’s a life skill and keeps me fit,” she joked.
With all the training that goes into swimming, Isabelle Hehman was happy to have her moment in the spotlight as well.
Finishing second in the 50 butterfly, she didn’t miss a beat when the lineup suddenly changed.
“I was pretty proud of myself because I wasn’t supposed to swim it,” she revealed.
That meant making the most of an unexpected change to her warmup routine.
Vanessa Herrera’s day, on the other hand, was more straightforward. Taking on the demanding 500 freestyle, she entered the race knowing exactly what she needed to do.
“You have to know how to pace yourself,” she said.
Although she finished last, Herrera wasn’t discouraged. Her goals, after all, go beyond where she places in the pool.
“I just hope to have fun with my team and try to improve,” she said.
And while John Jay’s winning streak has come to an end, the Wolves are already looking ahead.
“We’ll be back,” Belloni concluded.
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