Mono forces Farrell out of finals
Leroy Farrell of Hauppauge HS took second place in the Suffolk County diving championships. (Feb. 19, 2011) Credit: Bob Mitchell
Hauppauge diver Leroy Farrell's goal this season was to make the state championships. And after finishing second at the Suffolk finals (419 points), it was mission accomplished. But unfortunately, the senior couldn't enjoy his performance for long.
Farrell, seeded among the top 30 at yesterday's state diving finals at the Nassau Aquatic Center, had to withdraw from the meet earlier this week after being diagnosed with a case of mononucleosis.
He spent the day at home.
"I definitely was planning on competing up until the doctor explained how serious it was," said Farrell, who said had a fever of 103 on Friday night and that his lymph nodes were greatly swollen. "I thought it was something I could do and it might hurt a little bit, but I would work though it. In quotes, he 'forbid' me to do it. He said it could rupture my spleen."
There is, however, light at the end of the tunnel. Farrell learned two weeks ago that he earned a spot in the age-group nationals, which take place in July in California. He'll also dive for Ithaca College in the fall.
But after a high school career spent trying to take the board at the state championships, Farrell was certainly disappointed by the situation. He wasn't the only one.
"Leroy is probably one of the best loved kids in the county in terms of diving," Hauppauge coach Richard Lionetti said. "I've never seen so many kids and coaches pull for someone to make states.
"This is his first and only chance and I was broken up about it, because he's such a good kid. He's been working hard both in and out of the pool. But, obviously, health comes first."
Farrell said he's wanted to talk to his fellow Suffolk divers, Half Hollow Hills' Ryan Savit and Sachem East's Anthony Stefanelli, but didn't want to disrupt their routines. The first eight rounds of diving began on Friday night and the final three rounds took place Saturday morning.
"I'm kind of waiting, so I haven't been able to talk to Ryan or Stefanelli yet," he said. "But hopefully I'll be able to talk to them."
Even if he can't dive with them.
