East Hampton Boys Swimming Continues Its Strong Run, Could Win League Title Wednesday

One more victory and the East Hampton/Pierson/Bridgehampton boys swim team can lay claim to its second consecutive League II regular-season title.That’s thanks to its most recent string of wins against some of the toughest competition it had to face all season long. After defeating Northport/Commack, 88-77, at Sachem North High School on January 8, the Bonackers handed previously unbeaten Hauppauge its first loss of the season, 88-79, at the East Hampton YMCA RECenter on Thursday, January 10. East Hampton then took care of Sayville/Bayport, 91-77, in what was its home finale on Monday evening.

East Hampton goes into its final regular season meet at West Islip on Wednesday with a 6-0 League II record, 8-0 overall.

Prior to Monday’s home finale, East Hampton honored its eight seniors that are graduating this upcoming June. That included Ryan Bahel, Thor Botero, Ryan Duryea, Ramses Jimenez, Ethan McCormac, Kenny Sanchez, Luke Tyrell and Jordan Uribe. Then the Bonackers got to work. Pierson’s Ryan Duryea won the 50-yard freestyle in 23.17 seconds and the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:05.85.

Hauppauge has become a good rival of East Hampton since the two have been going toe-to-toe the past few seasons. The Eagles came out strong and won the 200-yard medley relay, the first time East Hampton has not won that event this season, but Bonac did take second and third. Ethan McCormac “dropped the hammer,” as head coach Craig Brierley described it, and won the 200-yard freestyle, dropping 4.5 seconds from his personal best and beating Hauppauge’s best swimmer by almost five seconds. Edward Hoff and Curran O’Donnell placed third and fourth, respectively, adding key points to East Hampton’s 17-13 lead.

Midway through the meet, Aidan Forst, Ryan Bahel and Daniel Piver took first, third and fourth place, respectively, to give East Hampton a 61-49 lead, then Bonac took first and second in the 200 free relay to wrap up the win.

“The coaches were really happy with their efforts, their show of teamwork, and their resilience going into each event,” Brierley said. “There were many exciting races and the boys continue to post ‘world record’ times.”

Pierson’s Jack Duryea was named Swimmer of the Meet by team captains after the win. After having already competed in a number of a races and one still on his plate, the team needed someone to fill in for the 200 free relay. Drained, Duryea was unsure if he could do it, but he dug deep and helped the relay team finish second. He then competed in the 100 breaststroke and placed third to earn some vital points for the team.

“There were many wonderful things that happened at this meet and Jack’s willingness to step up for his team was the one the captains called out,” Brierley said.

Owen McCormac qualified for counties in the 100 free. He finished that race in 54.9 seconds.

East Hampton traveled to Sachem North High School to compete against Northport since it does not have a pool of its own. Brierley said it was the first meet of the season that his team was going to be tested because Northport has some very talented swimmers. Fortunately, his team’s balance throughout the lineup won out.

East Hampton’s Aidan Forst was named Swimmer of the Meet. Forst swam the butterfly leg of the 200 medley relay that took third place, then he won a very tight 500 free by .3 of a second that he finished in a personal best of more than nine seconds (5:14.59). He also swam the third leg of the 400 free relay that won.