Cavan Gormsen, Tess Howley lead Sacred Heart to fourth swimming title
Sacred Heart poses for a team photo after the CHSAA girls swimming championships at the Nassau Aquatic Center on Sunday. Credit: Howard Simmons
Cavan Gormsen and Tess Howley traveled through the water so fast inside Nassau County Aquatic Center that they swept their two individual events in Sunday’s league meet for the fourth straight year. They were the leaders in Sacred Heart Academy’s talent pool again.
The Spartans swam away with their fourth straight NSCHSGAA championship in a competition held in conjunction with the first CHSGAA intersectional championship meet, which they won, too. They posted 858.50 points in East Meadow. Kellenberg was second with 635 and St. Anthony’s was third with 594.
“It’s definitely something that’s really special and that we’re really proud of,” Gormsen said. “We all work so hard each and every year.”
“I think it’s just the team, the culture around it,” Howley added. “It’s always so supportive. It’s magical being on this team for four years.”
It’s no coincidence that this dynasty has spanned the entire high school careers of these two hopefuls for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“Their leadership on the team has encouraged other strong swimmers to become a part of the Sacred Heart community,” coach Mary White said. “They want their legacy to pass down, and they can see that.
“I’m losing three of my top swimmers (including Catherine Dean). … Yes, they’re elite swimmers, but they’re not elitists.”
Gormsen broke her own NSCHSGAA records in the 200 freestyle (winning in 1:45.90) and the 500 freestyle (4:40.25 in Saturday’s prelim; she won in 4:40.93).
Howley took the 100 butterfly (52.75) and the 100 backstroke (54.47).
Dean and Maya Huntress from Sacred Heart of Buffalo arrived at the finish at the same time in the 50 freestyle (24.34) and shared first.
Lily Gormsen, Cavan’s sophomore sister, took the 100 freestyle (52.10).
The Spartans, who will send nine participants to the state/Federation meet later this month, swept the relays.
The 200 medley relay, featuring Howley, Jessica Walsh, Samantha Schnappauf and Dean, won in 1:48.32. The 200 freestyle relay, with Dean, Lily Gormsen, Sarah Larsen and Cavan Gormsen, placed first in 1:39.39. And the 400 freestyle relay, including Larsen, Lily Gormsen, Cavan Gormsen and Howley, won in 3:32.07.
