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By Brian Carr ('22)
Most North Rockland High School winter sports are either cancelled or delayed However, Boy’s Swimming & Diving is an exception. The boy’s swim team is going to begin practice on January 2nd with restrictions. For this article, I interviewed junior John Piperato (‘22) who has contributed to the swim team since his freshman year. He described how swimming will be affected this year due to COVID-19 protocol. There will no longer be any changing in the locker room. Each swimmer will have their own section at the pool deck to get prepared for practice or competitions. The team will not be traveling to popular locations such as Penn State as they have done in the past. When swimmers enter the pool, they must stay six feet apart from each other. All swimmers are also required to swim in their own personal lane during competitions.
For anyone interested in joining the boy’s swim team, it is a strenuous sport. In previous years, practices were Monday through Saturday (3:00-5:30 pm daily), and two mornings per week. This included warm ups which consist of stretching and intense swimming exercises. Due to the pandemic, morning practices and Saturday practices are eliminated. Despite the reduced scheduling, the actual practices are still extremely vigorous. Many of the swimmers participate in weight training to increase strength and additional cardio exercise to increase their stamina. John said he enjoys the sport because it keeps him in shape, and it’s a tight-knit community where he made a lot of friends.
I interviewed Co-Captain Tim Engel (‘21) about his experience on the team. Tim is one of the longest tenured members of the boy’s swim team, contributing six years, and is finishing up his senior year at NRHS. He was scouted by several colleges including Bryant University, the University of Tampa, the University of South Carolina, and California State University, Bakersfield, where he accepted their offer. I asked Tim for any guidance for swimmers looking to get recruited by colleges for a swimming scholarship. Tim said, “Make sure you are dedicated to make yourself a better swimmer, don’t let anything discourage you and stay focused in the classroom.”
Tim selected California State University at Bakersfield because the coaches made him feel that they wanted to help him become the best swimmer he could possibly be. The Rambling Raider wishes him and the whole team well as they represent North Rockland in competitive swimming. If anyone is interested in joining the team coached by Mr. Holmes, you can register on the North Rockland High School website. Only a recent physical is required.
Left to Right: Adin Mujic ('22), Nico DelPrincipio ('22) and Tim Engel ('21)
January 2020 Invitational at Horace Mann School
Images were taken before March 2020. Varsity Swim members are mandated to wear masks when beginning in 2021.
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