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Sports

High School Sports Notebook

Eighth-grader Nick Woska has excelled on Syosset's swim team, while the Mustangs prepare for the playoffs.

Woska Comes Up Big For Swim Team

The boys swim team got one of its biggest performances of the year from one of its youngest members during Tuesday’s 100-86 victory over Farmingdale. 

Nick Woska, an eighth-grader, posted a 185.40 score in the one-meter dive. The performance is not only one of the best this season, but it is among the best dives in the programs history.

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“I felt very good before the meet,” Woska said. “I just felt like I was going to do well - it was automatic.”

The performance vaults the diver into the top ten in Nassau County for six dive meets. This is his first season competing on the diving boards.

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Woska, who was asked to join the varsity in the seventh grade but was then deemed to be too young, has fit right in with his older teammates.

“It’s awesome,” Woska said. “All the guys are great and very supportive.”

The victory was one of the biggest of the season for the Braves. Heading into the meet, Farmingdale had only lost once. Syosset now sits alone atop Division A. They are well on their way to the

Syosset will face Cold Spring Harbor on Friday, 5 p.m. at Syosset High School in the Braves season-finale. 

Experience Guides Our Lady of Mercy Basketball Toward Playoff Run

While the talented freshmen on John Kiffel’s team has given the Mustangs a spark this season, they will need significant contributions from some of their veterans as they battle for CHSAA playoff positioning.

Seniors Amanda Walsh and Louise Lehmuller, as well as junior Olivia Walsh, will be guiding the team through the final eight games on the Mustangs’ schedule.

Both seniors were selected as co-captains. Amanda Walsh makes her presence known on the defensive end. During OLMA’s win over Kellenberg, Walsh held Kadeisha Donaldson to two points. Donaldson is known as one of the best centers in the CHSAA.

Lehmuller also excels on the defensive end.

“Defense has been the key to any success we’ve had this year, and she sets the tone,” Kiffel said. “She is fearless driving to the hoop and is usually the spark when something goes right for us.”

Olivia Walsh paces the offense for OLMA. She is averaging 12 points, eight rebounds, and three steals per game. Starting since her freshman year, Kiffel usually puts Walsh on the opponent’s best player.   

In addition to those three, junior Kathryn Wildes has bounced back from illness (she missed the first half of the season) and is averaging 10 points and five rebounds in Mercy’s last five games.

The Mustangs have a tough end to this week. They play St. Mary’s Thursday afternoon then head to Holy Trinity on Friday for a 5:45 p.m. start. 

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