The Mahopac-Putnam Valley-Carmel swim (1-3) team got into the winner’s column on Friday, taking a hard-fought 53–41 victory over Yorktown/Somers in a meet that came down to the final relay.
“With only four lanes to work with, our swimmers had to be strategic with every event—and they delivered,” Coach Erica Burlenski said. “We opened strong with a first-place finish in the 200 medley relay (Keira Troccoli, Elizabeth Knuth, Kira Furfaro and Chloe Forger). The momentum carried into the 200 free.”
Shayla Knolker delivered a season-best 2:08.49, leaving the score tied after “just getting touched out for second,” Burlenski said.
Knuth then claimed first in the 200 IM, and Troccoli came up big in the 50 free.
“She battled to another first-place finish in a tight race—keeping the score even once again,” the coach said.
Burlenski called the 100 fly a turning point, as Furfaro and Forger finished first and second “to give us the edge.”
The 100 free saw Troccoli win again, with Annalise Pio fighting hard for third to extend MPVC’s lead.
In the grueling 500 free, Knolker held on for second while Allie Calvert posted a personal-best time.
The team of Pio, Adelina Loza, Liv Brady and Furfaro placed second in the 200 free relay, followed by the quartet of Macie Thompson, Gabriella Ferreira, Nataly Bruno and Kylie Quackenbush, who took third to secure crucial points.
“With only a four-point difference going into the 100 back, Knuth and Forger delivered a dominant one–two finish, giving us a 10-point cushion,” Burlenski said. “Furfaro battled to second in the 100 breast, leaving us up by eight heading into the final event.”
It all came down to the 400 free relay.
“The team of Knuth, Knolker, Forger and Troccoli swam an incredible race to take first, with Forger breaking the one-minute mark in the 100 free for the first time,” Burlenski said. “The relay team of Loza, Calvert, Thompson and Pio added a third-place finish, sealing the 53–41 victory.
“It was a thrilling meet, and every swimmer contributed to the win.”
On Sept. 17, MPVC fell to Rye/Rye Brook/Blind Brook in a competitive meet, ultimately falling 88–74 despite a number of strong individual and relay performances.
Swimmers taking top honors included Furfaro (100 fly) and Knuth (100 breast), with several others finishing in the top three.
“Despite the loss, the girls had several standout swims and continue to show depth and determination across all events,” Burlenski said.
MPVC swimmers battled hard but fell 93–75 to SHEDI on Sept. 12. Winning events included the 200 medley relay (Troccoli, Knuth, Furfaro, Forger); Troccoli (50 free); and Forger (100 back).
MPVC narrowly fell 90–80 to Ardsley-Dobbs Ferry on Sept. 10 but came away with several wins. Standouts included the 200 medley relay, Knolker (200 free), Troccoli (200 IM, 100 free), Furfaro (100 fly) and Knuth (100 back).
MPVC’s next meet is against John Jay Cross River/North Salem at home on Friday, Sept. 26.
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