Syosset boys swimming captures third consecutive Nassau championship
Syosset poses after winning the team championship during the Nassau boys swimming championships at the Nassau Aquatic Center on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Credit: Brittney Dietz
It’s time to hang up another banner for Syosset boys swimming. It’s a third straight county championship and the seventh in eight years for the program.
The constant winning is fueled by depth and community.
A team effort guided Syosset to score 478 points and win the Nassau County boys swimming championship at the Nassau Aquatics Center in East Meadow on Saturday.
“It comes from great community support,” coach Mike Cipollino said. “We have great developmental programs feeding to the high school. And what I love about the team is the great spirit. Whether it’s early morning practices or cold winter days, everyone on the team is there pushing each other, rooting for each other, and having fun because they enjoy it.”
In event one, the tone was set. Syosset’s 200-yard medley relay team broke its own school record with a time of 1:36.06. The team consisting of Maxwell Yao, Ryan Yao, Dario Zimbalatti and Colin Liu sparked the meet.
“I feel great, but now I’m tired,” Zimbalatti laughed and said. “Our hard work paid off and we’re all friends and swim basically every day of the week. This one meant a lot to us.”
Freshman Ryan Yao took first place in the third event, the 200-yard IM. In event 10, his older brother Maxwell Yao finished second in the 100-yard backstroke at 52.56.
“All of this shows the work our entire team puts in,” Maxwell Yao said. “Breaking the record felt surreal and a lot of close friendships come from this team.”
Jericho took second with 345 points, only the second time in school history it finished this high. Senior Tommy Yuan finished second in the 100-yard butterfly at 50.68, setting a new school record.
“He’s just such a hard worker,” Jericho coach Richard Stern said. “He’s a three-year state qualifier and he’s awesome. He went second in our medley relay team, rose us up from fifth place, it was great.”
Herricks finished in third place with 300.5 points. Senior Matt Chang took first place in the 50-yard freestyle at 20.77 and the 100-yard freestyle at 45.96.
Chang has been on the team since he was an eighth grader and the program has come a long way.
“My team has come so far,” Chang said. “Originally we were in the lowest conference, but now we’re at the top competing with the big boys. It’s really great for my team and I want to give all thanks to my coach, Mr. Mauro. He really brings the electric feel to this team and provides us with what we need.”
