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Xaverian HS Clippers swim it up

February 19, 2012 Editorial Staff

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The Xaverian High School Varsity Swim Team, which went undefeated in league meets this year and recently captured the CHSAA Divisional Championship, proved its dominance in the pool as it went on to capture the Novice Championship at Lehman College and excel in the City Championship finals at the Nassau County Aquatics Center.

At the Novice Championships, Gabriel Atkinson paced the team with a first place finish in the grueling 500 freestyle. Matt Cappiello then raced to an impressive second place finish in the 200 individual medley, while Yanni Pittas had a strong third place finish in the 100 butterfly.

The Clippers sealed the win by finishing first in the 200 freestyle relay with strong performances by Atkinson, Cappiello, Quintain Spencer and Christopher Langan, earning the championship title.

The Clippers then moved on to the City Championships with qualifiers Patrick Ward (team captain), Tommy Lynch, Tommy Fitzgerald, Jason Deodato, Ryan Ward, Robert Helbock, Raysean Marin, Pat Coen and Justin Chung.

The Xaverian underclassmen paced the Clippers to a 14th place finish at the Championship finals, as freshman Robert Helbock set two freshman records, and the 200 free relay of Helbock, Lynch, Deodato and Ryan Ward became Xaverians first medalists in 10 years.

Ryan Ward also qualified for finals in the 100 and 200 freestyle, while Pat Coen was a first alternate in the 500 free. Qualifying for finals in relays were Lynch, Coen, Helbock, Deodato (200 medley) and Fitzgerald, Coen and the Ward Brothers (400 free relay).

Dylan Larkin placed an impressive 23^rd in the diving competition, and Junior Tommy Fitzgerald was named the 2012 CHSAA Dual Meet MVP for the Clippers.

All in all, this was a great year in the pool for the Clippers, led by Head Coach Jim DOttavio, and Assistant Coaches John Ward and Tom Fitzgerald. The teams performance this year also signified a promising future for the team, as underclassmen were a major part of their success.