HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' SWIMMING & DIVING: HORSEHEADS HAS HIGH GOALS AS THEY PREPARE TO BEGIN SEASON (2022-11-29)

Southern Tier Sports Report
The Horseheads swimming and diving team is coming off a strong year a season ago as they get ready to begin the season.

The team returns Cullin Cole, who won a state medal in four events a year ago, and Shoonfon Li and Alex Villegas, who were also a state medalists a season ago.

HORSEHEADS BLUE RAIDERS:
Head coach: Chris Bankaitis, assistant Loren Sayers
Last season: Undefeated dual meet record last season
Returning swimmers: 16 returning athletes, 3 State qualifiers from last year
Coaches’ thoughts on returning swimmers: Really excited for some experienced swimmers to pave the way for some promising younger athletes. Cullin Cole and Shoonfon Li are poised to make A finals in states once again. Alex Villegas will be a key leg in hopefully getting the 400 Free relay back to states as well
Newcomers: 6 newcomers, including two 8th graders.
Thoughts on newcomers: One being a promising diver, another a promising swimmer. Some older faces trying swimming out for the first time and proving to be quite adept already.
Thoughts on team: The team has a chance to do extremely well in dual meets, invitationals, and Sectionals. Our goal is to repeat as Class A champs.
Thoughts on the league: The league lost some strong swimmers, but is definitely more competitive this year. Many teams kept their depth and it will be a battle for the Class A title.
Any former swimmers competing in college: I know one for sure. Keagen Winkky is on the swim team at Nazareth.
Any swimmers nearing milestones: Cullin Cole and Shoonfon Li will be trying to expand their mark on the team record board. Cullin in the 100 free for sure, Shoonfon in the 200 IM. They both have great odds at making A finals at States. Cullin could even threaten the state title.