Hawks end swim season with photo finish victory
By Rose Sgarlato
SPARTA — The Lake Mohawk Pool Swim Team ended their season at home on Aug. 9, defeating Fayson Lakes in a photo finish race.
“It was a very close meet coming down to the final event, the 15-18 mixed medley relay. Our team really pulled together to get the win against a very strong Fayson Lakes team, “ said Coach Tim Holovacs “It was by far the most exciting meet of the season.”
The final meet kicked off with the annual Senior Ceremony honoring Sparta High School graduate Emily Bettano for her many years of swimming. Bettano, age 18, has been a Hawk since she was 8 -years-old.
Formerly known as the Cruiser Club, Bettano has fond memories of her summers on the team and will continue her swimming career this fall at The College of New Jersey.
“The pool is where I have grown up for 10 years. I have been lifeguarding for the past four years and became a coach in training at 11,” Bettano said.
And what Bettano learned over her summers translated to all –year round competitive swimming at both Lakeland Hills and Sparta High School. At TCNJ, she will juggle a heavy load majoring in nursing while swimming for the Division 3 team. Practice begins on Aug. 30.
“I plan to go through with it all for four years,” she said. "I also want to come back to the pool in the summers and give other kids the opportunity coaches gave me.”
Bettano has known Coach Holovacs for many years.
“Emily has been an important member of the team for over a decade as a swimmer and for the past few seasons as a part of the coaching staff,” Holovacs said.
A few days later the season had it second culmination with select swimmers participating in “A” championships.
“Our swimmers performed extraordinarily well with personal best times in almost every event. Overall the team had a very strong showing earning the most points in our division,” said Holovacs. “It was a great season, and we hope to continue to build our team and continue the successes of the past few years.”
The Lake Mohawk Pool Swim Team is part of the Lakeland Swim Conference and is open to children ages 5 to 18. Lake Mohawk Pool is accepting membership applications for Summer 2018, for special, limited time pricing and information go to <URL destination="http://www.lakemohawkpool.com. ">www.lakemohawkpool.com.