Connetquot swimmer Gaffey clocks dream season

Connetquot's Mikaila Gaffey is an overachiever.

That's not meant in a bad way. It's just that when someone wins three state swimming titles, graduates a year early to attend Columbia University and makes all-state as a violinist, there's really no other word to describe them.

Gaffey, Newsday's Swimmer of the Year, capped off her "senior" season by winning the 50-yard freestyle - in Suffolk record time (23.49 seconds) - and being part of the first-place 200-medley relay (1:46.43) and winning 200-freestyle relay (1:36.57) at the Federation State Championships. She also placed third in the 100 breaststroke (1:04.49) at the state meet.

At the county championships, Gaffey broke the Suffolk record in the 100-breaststroke (1:05.40) and won the 50-freestyle (24.32). She was part of two winning relays as well: the 200-medley (1:49.26) and 200-freestyle (1:37.23), both in county record times.

And somehow, Gaffey also found time to eat, sleep and be a teenager.

"I do hang out with my friends at certain points, but, for me, I love swimming," she said. "That's really not a chore. It sounds weird, but I like going to practice.

"Going to school, waking up early, that's like, 'oh boy.' But I hang out with my family and friends. I try to squeeze it in."

Hanging out with family might be classified as a swimming practice session anyway. The Gaffey genetics seem to be a swimmer's dream, with each of Mikaila's older siblings - Megan, Eric and Melanie - standout swimmers in their own right.

"The Gaffeys are very similar in their traits as far as being determined and very goal driven," said Connetquot coach Alex Scichilone, who's instructed Mikaila since she was six. "I coached all four of their kids, and once they had a goal in mind they didn't give up until they achieved it."

Like this one: of all Mikaila's record-setting, medal-winning swims this year, one in particular stands out - the 50-free. The record had been held in Suffolk by Sachem swimmer Shirlee Manoogian since 2001.

"She went to college with my sister and I'd always heard how fast she was," Gaffey said. "And I never thought I would get an individual state title. So to break the 50-free record, too, it was really a great reward."

Gaffey competed in Junior National trials earlier this month, adding two events - the 100-backstroke and 100-freestyle - to the slate she'll take on at the actual event in March.

"I would say that she has the potential of being a Junior National champ maybe in the 50-free and ranking in the top-20 of the entire nation," Scichilone said.

That certainly won't help the overachiever label.