Port Swimming Already Eyeing Rematch With Manhasset

After 11 events, the Port Washington and Manhasset boys swim teams were in a dead heat. Whoever won the final race of the Section VIII dual meet would leave the Great Neck North Middle School pool with the win.

Sadly, it wasn't meant to be. Manhasset won the race, and the meet, 89.5-84.5.

"We took first place in seven of the 12 events, but it wasn't meant to be," coach Joe Lennon said. "Despite the loss, I feel this was the team's strongest performance of the season."

That couldn't be more apparent then the individual accomplishments at the meet, where three school records were broken and 14 personal bests were set.

Ivan Bandovic, Steven Smith, Jason Moss and Matthew Epstein took first in the 200 Medley Relay with a time of 1:53.03, breaking the school record of 1:53.83. Smith claimed sole possession of the 50 Freestyle record with a first-place finish at 23.88, while Bandovic broke his own school record in the 100 Butterfly, swimming a 58.14.

Smith's 50 Freestyle was just one of the personal bests set at the meet. He also swam the fastest 100 Freestyle of his high school career in a time of 55.74.

Other personal bests included Epstein in the 100 Backstroke (1:08.38); Moss in the 100 Butterfly (1:06.22); Will O'Neill in the 200 Freestyle (2:21.67) and 100 Backstroke (1:12.54); Jason Stewart in the 200 Individual Medley (2:43.98) and 100 Breaststroke (1:21.77); Luke Record in the 50 Freestyle (26.00) and 100 Freestyle (1:00.69); Gavin Walsh in the 100 Backstroke (1:16.85); David Chang in the 100 Butterfly (1:34.82); Andy Szentkuti in the 100 Breaststroke (1:36.14); and Seo Yoon Park in the 100 Freestyle (1:12.38).

Coach Lennon said his team wasn't at full strength — missing Tommy Jester (50 or 100 Freestyle, 200 Medley and 200 Freestyle relays, and diving) and David Gueli (100 Butterfly and 100 Backstroke) — and that this could have affected the outcome of the meet.

And Port Washington won't have to wait long to find out if that's true. Manhasset and Sewanhaka high schools will take on Port on Friday at 7 p.m. at Great Neck South High School.

"I'm looking forward to the rematch on Friday," Lennon said. "We will have a full squad, we were missing two critical athletes tonight. It should be a great end to the season as it is our final meet of the season."