Hauppauge Swim Team Victory 

    Unlike some schools, Hauppauge High School has their very own swimming and diving team. The team is also combined with Smithtown schools and practices together. The Hauppauge Swim and Diving team is a competitive group of student-athletes who are dedicated to their work. The team has a strong work ethic and has shown great sportsmanship throughout their season. 

    On November 22nd, the Hauppauge Girls Varsity Swim team traveled to Rochester, New York to compete in the NYSPHAA (New York State Public High School Athletic Association) state championship. This yearly event brings the best swimmers from the state together to compete against each other. The competition began Friday, November 22nd which was the preliminary round. This round is where the girls compete to make finals which was held on Saturday, November 23rd. The girls practiced everyday leading up to states and many of them went to an outside trainer as well. 

Senior Mary Schroeder 

    One of the many great performers was Hauppauge senior Mary Schroeder who swam breaststroke in the 200-medley relay and the 100 breaststrokes on Friday and Saturday. Mary was able to show her own individual skills and her work with the team. Mary has been swimming for around 13 years, starting in kindergarten. She says “It was so amazing to end my senior season as a state champ. I couldn’t have done it without the support of my teammates and coaches.” Mary Schroeder broke her own school record not once, but twice over the two days, dropping it from her previous best time of 1:08:02 to a 1:07:79. Congratulations Mary on your hard work and best of luck in college! 

Sophomore Avery Wilcox 

    Hauppauge Sophomore Avery Wilcox swam the 200 free relay, the 400 free relay and the 500 freestyle. Avery says, “It was so special being able to win states with my sister, Hailey Wilcox and teammate Mary”. Avery’s older sister, Hailey Wilcox, also competed in the state championship which made their victory even more meaningful for the family.  

Importance of Teamwork 

     After speaking with many athletes from the team, it is evident that these girls worked very hard to get where they are today. The Hauppauge High School’s swim teams win at the state championships is an amazing accomplishment that will be remembered for many years to come. Their dedication, hard work, commitment, and teamwork all lead to their victory. This win not only shows the girls hard work, but also shows the importance of support from their coaches, family, and community. As the team continues to work hard for next season, their memories from the state championship will inspire younger athletes who join the team. Congratulations to all the athletes who participated. Your passion and commitment have made your community so proud.