Team News

Express Scholastic All-Americans

United States Swimming has named Mickey Ahern and Susan Nugent to its 2006-2007 Scholastic All-America Team. Congratulations to Mickey and Susan for their outstanding accomplishments both in school and in the pool.

Austin Kowalsky Zone LC Champion for the 50 Free

Austin Kowalsky swam up a storm at the Eastern Zone Long Course Championship in Buffalo, NY. Austin capped off an incredible week with a first place finish in the 11-12 Boys 50 Meter Free going 26.62, a personal best and a Top 16 NRT. Prior to his championship race, Austin swam in 5 other races posting 5 more personal bests and Top 16 National Reportable Times. Austin was 2nd in the 11-12 100 Free (59.43), 2nd in the 11-12 100 Back (1:06.59), 2nd in the 11-12 100 Fly (1:06.17), 3rd in the 11-12 50 Back (31.62), 4th in the 11-12 50 Fly (29.49). He also led off the Metropolitan 11-12 Boys 4 x 100 Freestyle Relay with another personal best time of 59.39.

Other top finishers for Long Island Express included Frances Warren. Frances placed 8th in the 13-14 Girls 200 Fly swimming a personal best time 2:32.08. Her 100 Fly time of 1:10.38 was another personal best. Jonathan Panzl placed 5th in the 15-18 Boys 200 Meter Free. Dan Wallace had a great meet going 6-for-6. Dan swam 6 personal best times over the week with top 16 finishes in the 13-14 Boys 50 Free (15th – 26.76), 100 Free (13th – 57.63), 200 Free (9th – 2:06.44), 400 Free (10th – 4:29.25), and 800 Free (14th -9:19.57). Teddy Kuo placed 14th in the 13-14 Boys 200 Fly and had a great 1500 cutting 25 seconds off his seed time. Bernil Carmichael-Lopes went 5-for-5 achieving personal bests in the 13-14 Boys 200 Breast (2:45.26) for 16th place, 100 Breast (1:14.58) for 14th place, 200 IM (2:27.34, 50 Free (27.00), and 100 Free (1:00.12). Alissa Leung also was in the top 16 at the meet placing 12th in the 13-14 Girls 200 Back (2:31.40) and 16th in the 100 Back (1:11.88). Kayla Kuzniewski’s time of 2:43.61 earned her 15th place in the 11-12 Girls 200 Fly. Kayla also swam personal bests in the 100 Back (1:116.24) and 400 Free (4:57.43).

Long Island Express Sends 15 To Zones

15 Swimmers from Long Island Express made the trip to Buffalo for the Eastern Zone Long Course Championship. A full contingent of backstrokers, breaststrokers, flyers, and freestyler competed against the finest swimmers from Virginia to Maine.

Congratulations to all for great swimming this summer!

Off to “The Nat” in Indianapolis

Coach Rick Ferriola and Senior National Qualifier Kevin Wakefield headed off to Indianapolis for Senior Nationals on July 31st through August 4th. Senior Nationals were held this year in the world-famous IUPUI Natatorium, more commonly known as “The Nat”. Kevin, already a national qualifier in the 200 free (LCM), swam very well and earned another Senior National cut in 100 Free (LCM) of 52.09.

Sectionals – Day 4

Olivia Chan put together a great come-from-behind victory in the Consolation Final of the 200 Meter Breast. Olivia won the “B” Final in 2:42.93, a personal best. Olivia’s time of 2:42.93 makes her the 2nd fastest 11-12 girl in the United States. Mickey Ahern swam a personal best in the 200 back 2:15.29. Kevin Wakefield swam a personal best in the 50 free 25.01.

Sectionals – Day 3

Olivia Chan got into the Bonus Final for the 200 Meter Fly and swam personal best of 2:25.37 placing her 20th overall. Jonathan Panzl also swam in the Bonus Final for the 200 Meter Fly and went 2:13.88, his personal best. Mickey Ahern swam a personal best of 1:02.76 in the 100 Meter Back. Kevin Wakefield shaved 7 seconds off his previous best time in the 400 Meter Free to place 7th overall.

Sectionals – Day 2

Kevin Wakefield won the 200 Meter Freestyle. Kevin’s time of 1:53.02 was just a little over a tenth of a second off the Olympic Trials cut. Susan Nugent went 18:21.63 in the 1500 Meter Free which was her personal best by over 5 seconds. In the Men’s 4 x 100 Free Relay, Kevin Wakefield swam a fast first leg going 52.37 which was even faster than his winning time in the 100 Meter Free the day before. Mickey Ahern, Jon Panzl and Dan Wallace all swam great legs of the relay which finished at 3:44.72. That time was over 3 seconds faster than this team’s spectacular winning swim at Senior Mets two weeks before. The Women’s 4 x 100 Free Relay of Mary Janowski, Olivia Chan, Susan Nugent and Sarah Schlichte all swam fast splits going 4:12.72 bettering the team’s seed time by a full second.

Sectionals – Day 1

Kevin Wakefield won the 100 Meter Freestyle going 52.52, a full second faster than his previous best. Olivia Chan swam a personal best time of 1:15.56 in the 100 Meter Breaststroke touching second in the Bonus Final, which placed her 18th overall. Olivia’s time of 1:15.56 was more than a second faster than her previous personal best. It also places Olivia 2nd in the country in the 100 breast for 11-12 girls.

Express Sectional Team Travels to Maryland

Coach Rob Ortof accompanied 8 swimmers down to St. Mary’s City, Maryland for the 2007 Super Sectional Long Course Meet from July 19th – July 22nd. Making the trip for Long Island Express were: Micky Ahern, Olivia Chan, Mary Janowski, Susan Nugent, Sarah Schlicte, Jonathan Panzl, Kevin Wakefield, and Dan Wallace.

Chan Sets Another Metro Record!

Olivia Chan broke the Metropolitan Swimming record in the 11-12 Girls 200 Meter Fly at the Long Island Express May Extravaganza. Olivia’s time of 2:26.89 broke the previous record 2:27.02 held by Senior National finalist Alex Forrester. Olivia’s time currently ranks her 3rd in the country in the 11-12 age group for the event. That same day, Olivia went 2:44.78 in the 200 Meter Breast which ranks her 2nd in the country for 11-12 girls.

Congratulations to the Express Class of 2007!

Congratulations Scholastic All-Americans

United States Swimming has named three swimmers from Long Island Express to the 2005-2006 Scholastic All-America Team. Michael Ahern, Shannon Dwyer, and Sarah Ryan were honored for their achievement both in the classroom and the pool. Congratulations Mickey, Shannon and Sarah.

Chan Sets 2 New JO Records

Congratulations to Olivia Chan who set two (2) new records at this year’s Junior Olympics! Olivia won the 11-12 girls 200 yard breaststroke in a time of 2:23.84., breaking the old mark of 2:25.47 set by Annie Zhu. Not only did she set a new Metro JO record, but she qualified for Junior Nationals in the 200 breast at just 12 years old. Olivia currently ranks 2nd in the country for 11-12 girls 200 breaststroke. Olivia also set a new JO record for the 11-12 Girls 100 butterfly by winning the race with a time of 59.93. In addition to the two record-setting swims, Olivia swam Top 16 times in six other races at JO’s – the 400 IM, 200 IM 100 IM, 200 Fly, 100 breast, 50 breast.

Kowalsky Breaks Metro Record

Awards Cruise Pictures 

Pictures taken on the cruise are available for purchase online at digitalphotonow.com. The login is awardscruise and the password is rick. The photographer, Joel Weber, can be contacted at (718) 507-2938 or at JoelWeberBTI@nyc.rr.com.