They took to water like fish and to a challenge like champs.
The TRI-M girls Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) Swim team, the Mercy Martyrs Mermaids, won their eighth consecutive diocesan championship at the Nassau County Aquatic Center on Sunday, April 11.
Entering the championship match with a perfect meet record of 7-0, the girls dominated their opponents with a score of 367 points; 16 points better than second place finishers St. Sebastian.
Mermaids coach Mary Leong credited her girls’ dedication to the sport and to their teammates for the rousing victory.
“These girls are very dedicated,” said Leong. “This is real dedication; they practice three times per week and still are able to concentrate on school and everything else.”
Leong also credited her coaching staff with manufacturing success by combining the girls’ aquatic talents with their natural affinity for fun.
The Mermaids might be so good at what they do simply because they enjoy doing it. Leong said that practice gives her team the opportunity to get together and engage in something they all enjoy.
“This is a girls’ club; they have a connection with one another,” said Leong. “They come here because they want to see each other, but they also work very hard.”
However, no matter how much fun they are having, it is still work, according to Leong. In addition to the long hours of practice, Leong spends much of her time studying the competition and figuring out how to earn the most points possible.
“As a coach, you have to put the time in,” said Leong. “We swim for six weeks leading up to the championships; during those six weeks, we are working hard so we can match up with some extremely competitive teams.”
TRI-M represents Our Lady of Mercy and Our Lady of Queen of Martyrs, both of Forest Hills, and is comprised of girls ranging from five to 13 years of age. Some of the girls will be moving on to high school next year and unfortunately, will not be returning. But Leong believes that with the talent that remains, a ninth championship in a row is not out of the question.
“It is tough because 13 of our girls will be moving on,” said Leong. “We are going to miss them, but every year we replenish the team with new talent. We always have novice swimmers and they are constantly learning from the older girls.”
