Memorial High School is in full swim
WEST NEW YORK, N.J. (BMV) – Memorial High School did not always have a swim team. In 2005, Memorial girls’ volleyball coach John Wengerter decided to start the team. Wengerter sought out the help of West New York elementary school teacher and former Florida International University division 1 swimmer, Larry Lazzara, and MHS history teacher Daryl Semple.
At the beginning, the West New York school district had to rent the indoor pool belonging to St. Joseph’s High School, the Catholic School located across the street from Memorial. The team practiced at St. Joseph’s two days a week, until they closed in 2009 due to dwindling enrollment, at which time the district acquired the pool for full-time MHS team use.
During their second season, the Tigers were represented at the New Jersey State Championships by Catalina Mendieta, who finished fourth in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 24.92 seconds, and still holds the MHS record with that time. Mendieta also placed seventh in the 100-yard, with another MHS record time of 54.55 seconds.
Since then, the Memorial High School swim team has been moving up in the rankings of Hudson County swimming. In the 15-year span since the team’s inception, Memorial swim boys and girls have placed in the top three in the Public-School Championships and ranked fourth and fifth in the county.
The past four years have been rewarding for the hard-working swimmers of the Memorial High School Tigers. Hudson County has instituted an Individual Meet of Champions and MHS athletes have placed in the top six in multiple events.
Last year, senior Madison Miguelli became the first Tiger to come in first place at the Individuals Meet, and also took first in the 50-yard freestyle.
Gabby Lazzara, daughter of former coach Larry Lazzara, took over as head coach nine years ago and says that “being the Memorial swim coach has been one of the biggest accomplishments” of her life. Lazzara shared that she has “seen the love for swimming come alive” in her student athletes.
“These kids have truly shown that hard work pays off and their dedication is like no other.” Lazzara said.
Although the Tigers lost 12 graduating seniors from last year’s team, they have 21 returning team members this season, along with a handful of new additions.
Senior and team captain David Silva has been swimming since middle school and received a “big shocker” his freshman year, when he found out he would be swimming at the county championships.
“That really drove me to pursue my dreams” said Silva, “I became more motivated and disciplined, and I went back to club swimming all year around.”
Silva also qualified for county championships sophomore and junior years.
“This year, along with my teammates, I hope to bring Memorial another county title,” added Silva, “I know it’s possible as long as we all work hard and discipline ourselves, that’s something being on the swim team teaches you day in and day out.”
Coach Lazzara is proud of her team and says that “the sport has become a part of their everyday life; they love to go to public pools and recruit kids and help them during the off season.”
Currently, Lazzara is working with the West New York recreation department to start a summer swim program for kids ages 5-18.
“If all goes well, we should have a swim team next summer.” Lazzara said.
Lazzara hopes that “this will be a way for the younger kids to fall in love with the sport of swimming.”
The Memorial High School Tigers are slated to kick off their upcoming season on Dec. 3, 2020.
