On Tuesday, Jan. 29, the Manhasset High School Boys Swim Team competed in its last dual meet of the season at home (USMMA) vs. undefeated Bellmore Merrick (BM). Bellmore Merrick, the heavy favorite, swam with a purpose. Defeat Manhasset and capture the conference championship. The Indians would try to play the spoiler role on a night they would recognize seniors Kevin Love, Brian Kim, Matt Carrozzo, Omid Morhsed, and Angelo Pegno at their last dual meet of their high school careers.

The meet started with an anticipated showdown of each team's best in the Medley Relay. The top Manhasset relay (Mike Yee, Jeff Yau, Max Smitham, Kevin Love) stunned the visiting team taking first place by a touch in a season best time of 1:51.21. A few seconds later, the Manhasset relay of Brian Kim, Brian Tam, Paul Stathis and Paul Faglione touched out the next Bellmore relay in a time of 1:59.82 to grab the valuable two third-place points.

Score: Manhasset 10 BM 4. During the next three events, Manhasset proved they were up for the challenge and would compete till the end. In the 200 Free, the Indians swimmers Sohrab Vatsia and Billy Stathis were able to hold on and finish second and third. In the 200IM, Max Smitham swam a personal best time of 2:15.24 to win the race. Jeff Yau finished third in a personal best time of 2:23.80. Senior Captain Kevin Love finished second in the 50 free in a personal best time of 23.88. Junior Brian Tam swam a personal best 24.79 and Paul Faglione 25.12 to help Manhasset take third and 5th place points. During 1 m Diving, the Indians Andrew Kapper dazzled the crowd with his display of flips and twists taking first place in a personal best score of 158 points. Senior Matt Carrozzo scored third with 136 points.

Score: Manhasset 43 BM 35.

The Manhasset team held its ground as Bellmore Merrick put up their very best in the next few events, hoping to gain momentum. In the 100-yard Butterfly Paul Stathis placed second by a touch in a personal best time of 1:03.94. Mike Yee placed fourth in a time of 1:06.88. Manhasset sprinters Max Smitham and Kevin Love scored second and third in the 100-yard Free in personal best times of 53.18 and 54.25. The 500-yard Free was a close race with five swimmers battling lap by lap for the top five positions. At the end of the race, Manhasset swimmer Sohrab Vatsia was able to pull away to finish in second with a personal best time of 5:45.91. Finishing a yard behind him was Billy Stathis, who finished third in a personal best time of 5:46.70.

Score: Manhasset 63 Bellmore Merrick 63.

Once again, Bellmore would try to seize control of the meet, stacking their 200-yd Free Relay with the team's best sprinters. Manhasset countered with their best. In another closely contested race, the relay team of Max Smitham, Paul Faglione, Brian Tam, Kevin Love shaved off three seconds from the previous season best time to win the race in a time of 1:37.68.

In another closely contested race, the 100-yd Backstroke, Mike Yee finished second and Stephen Cobos fourth for the Indians.

The Manhasset team rallied back in the breaststroke as sophomore Jeff Yau took first place in a season best time of 1:09.12. Junior Brian Tam finished second by a hand length in a personal best time of 1:11.92.

In the meets last event, the 400 Free Relay, Bellmore Merrick took an early lead and held off the Manhasset relay teams to finish first and second.

Final Score: Bellmore Merrick 97 Manhasset 89.

Next up for the Indians, Division and County Swimming and Diving Championships.