By Julia Cunningham, College World College Intern
It’s quite a feat to win back-to-back championship titles, let alone 30 in a row. That’s exactly what Coach Richard Finkelstein and his team, the Flushing YMCA Flyers, achieved this year – winning his 30th title at States at SUNY Buffalo March 18-20.
“It has been very rewarding and thrilling to have enjoyed such unusual success,” Finkelstein said. “Being on top for 30 years is a combination of many things. The YMCA has been blessed with dedicated swimmers, an excellent assistant coaching staff, great support from the YMCA, a little bit of luck and a terrific parents organization.”
With Finkelstein as their head coach since his second season in 1959, the Flushing Y has grown exponentially. “It started with a few swimmers and grew each year. In the early years there were only a few swim clubs in the area but the growth of the YMCA team was limited by the size of the pool,” Finkelstein said. That is no longer the issue, as the program has grown exponentially and is now competitive at all levels, in USS and YMCA meets.
Much of their success Finkelstein credits to his assistant coaches and their swimmers. The team is broken up by age group, with the 8 and unders coached by Yllka Ibishaj, 9-10’s coached by Shirley Falconi, 11-12’s coached by Priscilla Arana, the development team coached by Heather Monterosso, and the 13 and overs coached by Finkelstein assisted by Sally Lim.
Olivia Santos, a senior and captain of the team, has spent all of her swimming years with the Flyers. “I have never been on a different team,” she said. “My whole swimming career has been with the Flushing Flyers and I love how I am able to call my teammates family. We grew up together and we are all so close which is what makes seeing them everyday so much more fun.”
Photo Courtesy: Nick Tilas
At the same time, their successes are not the main priority for the team. The Flushing Y aims to incorporate the main values of the YMCA – caring, honesty, respect and responsibility – throughout their program. “We accept swimmers of all abilities,” Finkelstein said. “Our goal is to help everyone reach their fullest potential at their own pace.” The team has swimmers ranging from 8 and unders to 15 and overs, from first-time racers to state record holders.
The large number of swimmers doesn’t limit the range of talent. Finkelstein explained that the team acts as a support system for each other. “They have grown up together and most are good friends both inside and outside the pool. Even those that go to rival high schools root for their YMCA teammates at school meets and Championships,” he said. “We are a home away from home.”
“The Flyers are definitely a more tight-knit family than any team I have ever been on,” team captain and senior Samantha Zdesar said. “We all hope for the best for each other and even though we all compete, I know that at the end of the day my teammates will always be there for me, supporting me.”
Santos echoed this sentiment, saying that at meets, her teammates weren’t scared to have fun. “I think we have a very good balance of fun and seriousness when it comes to our team,” she said. “We have good friendly competition all the time and it allows us to push each other to do our best.”
Photo Courtesy: Nick Tilas
At States in March, the camaraderie was apparent as the team supported each other towards multiple top-eight finishes from swimmers in every age group. In particular, Juan Patino took three first-place finishes in the 50 (20.58), 100 (45.73) and 200 free (1:42.82), setting the state record in both the 50 and 100. In addition, he swam the 200 mixed medley relay with teammates Ashley Asanjarani, Peter Strbik, and Santos, setting the record with a final time of 1:45.
Santos and Strbik had their own individual top-eight finishes, as well. Santos took sixth in the 200 IM (2:14.71), fourth in the 50 free (24.89), and second in the 100 free (54.07). Strbik took fourth in the 50 free (22.17), fourth in the 100 free (49.17), and first in the 100 breast (59.80).
Patino, who has only been with the team for a year, went on to swim at YMCA Nationals in Greensboro, NC, April 4-8, finishing fourth in the 50 free (20.67) and fourth in the 100 free (45.26). “Juan came here from Columbia last May having just graduated High School,” Finkelstein said. “I had no idea what his swimming background was or how much he practiced. His goals were simple – swim, learn how to speak English and hopefully go to College in the US in September of 2016.”
“Swimming with state record holders like Juan is a little intimidating, but at the same time it’s very rewarding because they motivate me to work harder, both in and out of the pool, so that I can accomplish all my goals,” Zdesar said. In true team spirit, Finkelstein said that the team warmed to Patino quickly. “He was very quiet and shy but the kids on the team quickly took him under their wing.”
The Flushing YMCA Flyers have had many successes beyond swimming, as well. From high school, swimmers have gone on to graduate from both Division I and Division III colleges, and have entered a range of careers from policemen to doctors and lawyers. Zdesar will be swimming at Steven Institute of Technology next fall, while Santos has committed to Binghamton University. “The Flushing Flyers is an amazing, diverse group of talents with one single passion for swimming,” Zdesar said. “We all push each other to work harder and swim faster as one big family.”
I can’t even begin to describe how wonderful this team is. I owe my whole swimming life to this amazing organization.
Congratulations Richard Finkelstein!!!!! Proud to be a Flushing Flyer!!!
Nice team