Swim Team Still Undefeated

Joey Badilla can accurately predict the forecast.

“I’m going to make counties in the breaststroke today,” he said prior to East Hampton/Bridgehampton/Pierson’s boys swim team’s meet against North Babylon January 4.

His intuition, or maybe his confidence, served him well as the Pierson sophomore secured a Section XI qualifying time with a new personal best in the 100-yard breaststroke. Badilla secured his spot with a time of one minute, 9.47 seconds, and was named swimmer of the meet by his team’s captains.

“After he touched the wall and looked up at the scoreboard, Joey had a look of joy and surprise as he made the cut,” head coach Craig Brierley said. “He went a best time, dropping 2.5 seconds from his previous best.”

The attention to speed and endurance have brought smiles to his East Hampton team, helping the Bonackers break out to a 5-0 start with a 3-0 record in League II, which was capped by an 83-76 win over North Babylon.

“We began the week with mid-season goal meetings to give the boys the opportunity to re-evaluate the goals they set at the beginning of the season,” Brierley said. “This gave them the chance to review, make adjustments if needed, and re-focus on the tasks they set out to do.”

Badilla, Ryan Duryea, Colin Harrison, and Ethan McCormac made up the 200 medley relay quartet that placed first in 1:47.26 to kick off the meet. McCormac, who also placed first in the 200 individual medley, finished in a Section XI qualifying time of 2:01.16. Also qualifying were Aidan Forst in the 100 and 200 freestyle, and Ryan Bahel in the 100 backstroke. Forst placed first in the 200 free in 1:57.82 and Duryea touched the wall first in the 50 in 23.37. East Hampton placed the top three in the 500 freestyle, with Daniel Piver coming in first in 5:56.65, Conor Flanagan finishing second in 6:29.76, and Kenny Sanchez following right behind him in 6:30.14.

“The boys got right to work to get things going and never let up,” Brierley said. “The coaches are very happy for the boys as they continue to swim very well and are showing nice improvements in the skills and techniques they have been practicing.”

East Hampton/Bridgehampton/Pierson traveled to Sachem North for a meet against Northport January 8, but results were not available by press time. The Bonackers will host last year’s League II champion Hauppauge January 10 at the YMCA East Hampton RECenter at 5 PM.

desiree@indyeastend.com