Jericho's Rachel Yang wins rare state girls diving title

WEBSTER, N.Y. — Rachel Yang stepped on the diving board for her 11th and final attempt. She stood in first, leading by about eight points for the state and Federation championships. She didn’t know that. And she didn’t want to know that.

“I don’t look at the place or anything because I feel like that brings me bad luck,” Yang said.

The Jericho junior lifted off, somersaulted forward 2 1/2 times and disappeared into the water. The judges liked what they saw Friday at Webster Aquatic Center, awarding her 63.70 points.

“I came out of the water and I was, like, super excited,” Yang said. “I was like, ‘Yes.’ ”

Yang finished third last season. This season? No. 1.

“I’m just focusing on doing what’s best, my personal best,” Yang said after achieving the first state title by a Nassau girls diver in at least 30 years.

Her personal best really was the best. She totaled 571.15 points. So she now owns the meet, state and Federation records.

“I’m very excited and glad,” Yang said. “I’m looking forward to hopefully beating it next year.”

Yang led a strong Long Island showing. Manhasset’s Victoria Wang placed third and Connetquot’s Lara Booth Alam was fifth.

“It was awesome,” Yang said.

Sacred Heart seniors Cavan Gormsen and Tess Howley finished the fastest in their two preliminary swimming events, and they’re the defending Federation champs in both.

Gormley, from Wantagh, came in at 1 minute, 46.25 econds in the 200-yard freestyle and then 4:40.85 in the 500 freestyle, both automatic All-American times.

“I think I put myself in a good position,” Gormsen said. “I know it’s going to be very competitive because all the other competitors swam very well.”

Howley finished at 53.03 in the 100 butterfly and 53.24 in the 100 backstroke, also automatic All-American times.

“I think I did well,” Howley said. “I’m definitely aiming to do a little better (Saturday) so I can leave off my senior year on a good note, in my last year going to states.”

They were also on the Sacred Heart 200- and 400-freestyle relay teams that had the best times.

Leah Treglia, a senior with Hauppauge/Smithtown, had the third-best 100 butterfly prelim time (second among state competitors) in 55.24 and second-best 100 backstroke time (first in the state) in 54.98. Both were All-American consideration times. The butterfly time broke her own Suffolk record.

Treglia is chasing her first state championship. The 100 backstroke would suit the Smithtown West student just fine.

“I hope I win that,” Treglia said. “That’s my goal. That’s been my dream forever.”

Treglia also swam on the 200 medley relay team with Madison Dominger, Sarah Lucca and Sofia Burns. It finished in 1:45.39, breaking its Suffolk record and earning All-American consideration. It was the day’s opening prelim.

“We always make sure we do our best in that race,” coach Sean Montalvo said. “That sort of sets the tone for every girl for the entire meet. And we feel we can go faster in that.”