Yorktown–Somers swimmers show depth and spirit despite loss

YORKTOWN, N.Y. - On Tuesday, Jan. 13, Yorktown–Somers hosted New Rochelle–Bronx at Mildred E. Strang Middle School and fell, 49–39. While the result went against them, the score did not fully reflect the effort and spirit of the Huskers, according to senior Jimmy Gallivan.

“Even if a lot of our meets are not so good and we don’t win,” Gallivan said, “we still work toward being the best we can be.”

Gallivan placed third in the 200 freestyle, a race he enjoys for its balance. “It’s not entirely long distance, and it’s not entirely a sprint,” he said. “It’s a mix of both.”

He also anchored the 400 freestyle relay, helping secure a win alongside Finn McEnroe, Noah Pettigrew, and Russell Badurski. “You’ve got to hold what the rest of the team has done,” Gallivan said.

Although Gallivan will not swim competitively in college, the future Harvard freshman already has a clear focus. “It’s definitely to study,” he said. He also finished second in the 100 butterfly.

At the other end of the relay, McEnroe served as the lead swimmer. “I set the pace for everyone else to hold,” said the sophomore, who also won the 500 freestyle and placed third in the 200 individual medley.

McEnroe said team chemistry is one of his favorite aspects of the program. “I love how everyone wants to hang out,” the Yorktown swimmer said.

Shane Wissing echoed those sentiments, calling the camaraderie “fun,” though in the pool he prefers the backstroke. “I like the powerful start, and then you just keep going,” he said.

Tyler Solimine did just that in the breaststroke. The Somers senior won the 100 breaststroke and said the event came naturally to him early in his swimming career. “I found it was the easiest for me, and it just came natural,” Solimine said.

Solimine also swam the second leg of the 200 medley relay, where he understands his role is to close any gaps. “If the first person comes back late, I have a lot of time to make up,” he said, adding that there are no complaints if a teammate struggles. “It’s okay — he’s a teammate.”

“It’s a great community, and I love being part of it,” Solimine concluded.

In other results, Ryan Davis won the 50 freestyle, finished third in the 100 freestyle, and helped the 200 freestyle relay place second alongside Michael Naber, Michael Badurski, and Wyatt Cooperman. Naber also won the 100 backstroke, while Anthony Gade finished second in the 100 breaststroke.