John Jay-North Salem swimmers make a splash against Somers-Yorktown

CROSS RIVER, N.Y. - On Wednesday, Oct. 15, the John Jay–North Salem swim team traveled to Yorktown Middle School to face Somers-Yorktown in a crosstown meet. By the time the final clock stopped, the visitors had made quite a statement — earning a decisive 54–40 victory.

Katie O’Donnell led the charge with three first-place finishes. She teamed up with Taylor Belloni, Isabelle Hehman, and Abbey Hehman to win the 200 Medley Relay in 2:01.57.

“We all swim on different club teams, and this was a nice opportunity to swim together,” O’Donnell said. “We’re all supportive of each other because it’s an individual sport, but definitely a team sport too.”

The synergy continued in the 400 Free Relay, where O’Donnell, Lily Wagner, Cassidy Horel, and Abbey Hehmantook first in 4:03.90.

Individually, O’Donnell also claimed gold in the 100 Backstroke with a time of 1:04.82. Her consistent training helps her navigate the pool with precision.
“I practice six days a week, so I’m very familiar with my strokes,” she said. “It’s normally four or five strokes before the flag.”

Taylor Belloni also had an impressive day, earning two first-place finishes and two silvers. She took first in the 100 Breaststroke (1:14.77), a race that’s long been her favorite.

“I kept doing it because that’s the one I was naturally good at,” Belloni said.

She added that the turn in breaststroke takes plenty of patience to perfect. “It’s a lot of trial and error,” she admitted.

Belloni also shared a few swimmer insights — including how to handle the inevitable splash. “You’re supposed to breathe out, but sometimes you still get water up your nose,” she said with a laugh.

And as for why swimmers dive deep rather than skimming the surface? “When you go down deep, you can stay underwater longer — and that’s faster than swimming,” she explained.

Belloni also contributed to a first-place finish in the 200 Medley Relay, plus second-place finishes in both the 200 Individual Medley and 200 Free Relay.

Other top performances included:

• Cassidy Horel – 1st in the 100 Freestyle, 2nd in the 200 Free

• Lily Wagner – 2nd in the 500 Free

• Abbey Hehman – 1st in the 50 Free, 2nd in the 100 Free

• Isabelle Hehman – 2nd in the 50 Free, 3rd in the 100 Fly

• Ella Finerty – 1st in the 500 Free

With a strong mix of teamwork and individual effort, John Jay–North Salem left Yorktown with both a win and plenty of confidence heading into their next meet.