Combined Swim Team Makes Strong First Impression

Chloe Forger is the Mahopac/Putnam Valley/Carmel team’s first swimmer of the season to achieve a state qualifying time.

CARMEL – Call it a competitive loss.

The combined high school girls’ swim team of Mahopac/Putnam Valley/Carmel lost its opening meet of the season when it fell to Ardsley-Dobbs Ferry, 96-74, but coach Erica Burlenski was pleased with the results for the first time out.

“The final score did not tell the whole story,” she said. “The meet was competitive from start to finish, with several impressive performances, multiple swimmers coming within reach of state qualifying times, and an exciting first state cut of the season.”

In the 200-yard freestyle, Kira Furfaro turned in a strong second-place finish, with Adelina Loza taking fifth and Kylie Quackenbush placing sixth.

The 50-yard freestyle was another highlight. Chloe Forger was chasing a state qualifying time and narrowly missed the standard, but still powered her way to a first-place finish. Keira Troccoli took third place.

The event also gave several newcomers their first opportunity to compete at the varsity level. Mahopac Middle School swimmers Abigail Long, Emmalyse Colon, and Olivia Telasco all took to the blocks in the 50-yard freestyle and gained valuable meet experience, as well as Maria Antunez and Zabria Pelobello, both freshman at Putnam Valley.

After the break, Furfaro continued her strong meet with a second-place finish in the 100-yard butterfly.

Sunner Laufman added another second-place finish in the 100-yard freestyle before Troccoli turned in one of the meet’s strongest swims in the 500-yard freestyle. Troccoli dominated the event, earning first place while coming within striking distance of a state qualifying time.

The 200-yard freestyle team was a first-place finish.

The 100-yard backstroke brought perhaps the biggest accomplishment of the afternoon. Forger delivered a standout swim and became the team’s first swimmer of the season to achieve a state qualifying time.

“Her performance gave the team something to celebrate and provided plenty of motivation heading into the remainder of the season,” said Burlenski. “Although MPVC came up short on the scoreboard, the season opener provided plenty of reasons for optimism. From Forger’s state qualifying performance and the team’s numerous near-cuts, to strong swims from returning athletes and promising performances from newcomers, MPVC showed it has the talent and determination to make an impact this season.”