PARSIPPANY-TROY HILLS — The Lake Hiawatha Swim Team dedicated its Friday, July 28 practice session to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Association and swam laps to “earn” funds for the organization that were pledged by friends and family. In addition to the team, several swimmers brought friends and family members who also swam and raised funds.
Head Coach Andrew Burkly joined the swimmers, and together the group crossed the pool over 800 times. Assistant Coach George Scherger broke the previous team record by swimming a whopping 111 laps! The top children’s swimmer was 12-year-old Vita Infurna, who swam with purpose and determination to achieve 56 laps.
Swimmers ranked by laps accomplished were: Assistant Coach George Scherger (111), Vita Infurna age 12 (56), Carina Maroldi age 9 (54), Alexander Scardigno age 13 (50), Samantha Cassimore age 9 (46), Matthew Pagano-Salvatori age 8 (44), Sofa McBride age 11 (42), Patrick Tkach age 9 (40), Malik Alzubi (11), Breyanne Cassimore age 11 (34), Ian Vazquez age 7 (32), Enzo Vazquez age 10 (32), Francisco Vazquez age 15 (32), Samantha Tkach (28), Angelina Pierro age 10 (28), Tori Maroldi age 6 (26), Head Coach Andrew Burkly (22), Lucas Scardigno age 8 (22), Alexander Rice age 6 (16), Emma Straub age 10 (14), Nicholas Rice age 9 (14) and Joe Pierro (5).
Prior to the event, swimmers were urged to seek donations from family or friends based on the number of laps successfully completed or a flat donation. Please consider supporting the Lake Hiawatha Swim Team’s efforts to help the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society by making a tax deductible donation by clicking here.
The Lake Hiawatha Swim Club is centrally located near downtown Lake Hiawatha. Membership is accepted at any time throughout the season and there are no residency requirements. Members have access to a large swimming pool, a fenced-in playground area with two professional-grade play areas, a tennis court, as well as lockers, changing rooms and showers. Avellino’s Pizza has an onsite location and serves casual food and cold beverages throughout the day. An onsite family campout is hosted each year. Multiple raft days are held; swimmers can enjoy playing and lounging on their choice of inflatables. Several outdoor concerts are staged throughout the summer to entertain members and guests.
The Lake Hiawatha Swim Team is open to members of the club, and is a competitive group always seeking new swimmers: participants under 8 must be able to swim the length of the pool to be eligible and all children must be 18 years or younger. 2017 sponsors were Avellino’s Pizza, Last Stop Welding and Realtor Bonnie Gessling of Century 21 Christel Realty. The team is currently seeking sponsors for 2018, with opportunities for community events, prominent logo placement.
