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Swim-a-thon to benefit youth group

| 13 Jul 2016 | 01:02
    Photos by Rose Sgarlato Leo Biondo, age 5, goes for fifteen laps at Lake Mohawk Pool’s swim-a-thon.
    Photos by Rose Sgarlato Leo Biondo, age 5, goes for fifteen laps at Lake Mohawk Pool’s swim-a-thon.
    Valerie & Sam Russo fuel up after swimming several laps.
    Valerie & Sam Russo fuel up after swimming several laps.
    Mila Saluja, age 6, Yana Saluja, age 8, Noel Guerrini, age 7 and Brooke Shust, age 7 take a break for a photo in-between laps.
    Mila Saluja, age 6, Yana Saluja, age 8, Noel Guerrini, age 7 and Brooke Shust, age 7 take a break for a photo in-between laps.
    Mikayla Flanz of the Lake Mohawk Hawks completing laps at last Friday’s swim-a-thon fundraiser for Pass It Along.
    Mikayla Flanz of the Lake Mohawk Hawks completing laps at last Friday’s swim-a-thon fundraiser for Pass It Along.
    Eric Vincelette, age 14 and WIll Englehardt, age 13 swim over 100 laps each.
    Eric Vincelette, age 14 and WIll Englehardt, age 13 swim over 100 laps each.

By Rose Sgarlato
SPARTA -Lake Mohawk Pool Swim Team held its third annual swim-a-thon on July 8 to benefit Pass It Along.
This year’s team known as the Hawks has upwards of 70 members ranging from ages 4 through 18. They practice daily at the Lake Mohawk Pool and compete against other league teams every Wednesday night through August 10. Added competitions are held on weekends if swimmers qualify.
About 47 team members, ages 5 to 18, swam a total of 2,292 laps or 114,600 meters translating to about 72 miles.
Held during their normal practice time, participants chose their strokes, often varying them and adding extra challenges.
“It requires tenacity. Being committed to doing something the best you can and knowing we are raising money this year,” said coach Tim Holovacs.
Valerie Russo, age 18 and her sister Samantha, age 15, racked up about 70 laps each. Although tired and happy they were finished, the sisters are not new to the sport.
“We’ve been swimming a long time-probably over 13 years,” said Valerie Russo.
Will Englehardt, age 13, wasn’t sure of last year’s record but was shooting for 100 laps this year, about three miles. In the end he completed 110 alongside Eric Vincelette, age 15, who finished strong with a 100 laps.
Other swimmers who achieved 100 laps were Kai Batchelor and Catherine Gaines. At the team breakfast that followed, coaches acknowledged and applauded all of the swimmers who participated their time and energy.
The younger set of kids under 8 years old, called the Mighty Mites, also jumped in the pool for the good cause with less severe goals in mind and sometimes simply trying to get across the Olympic-sized pool.
Results of money raised were not in yet, but proceeds will benefit the team and Pass It Along.
Diane Taylor, president and CEO of Pass It Along describes her organization’s mission:
“Pass It Along is a Youth Empowerment Organization that helps teens to tap into their passion to serve the most vulnerable communities. This organization is all about helping young people to develop the best version of themselves through volunteerism, leadership development and self- discovery work. The programs are free of cost to all students in Sussex County, which is why fundraising is so incredibly important for sustaining this program. “
Taylor was grateful to the Lake Mohawk Pool.
“It's because of the generosity of businesses such as Lake Mohawk Pool that we are able to forge ahead in bringing this amazing program to the youth of this community. We would like to especially thank all of the athletes for swimming laps on behalf of our organization," she said. "It means a great deal to us.”