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RYE, N.Y. -- Prior to his last race ever in the Westchester County Swim Conference Championships Thursday, Ed Pagano became nostalgic.
I had a whole flash of years before me, said the 18-year-old 2011 Iona Prep graduate. Ive been swimming in this since I was six years old, swam competitively and climbed the ranks.
Pagano, who turned 18 Aug. 3, made his final swim memorable, winning the 17-and-under 100 butterfly in a time of 53.50 at Westchester Country Club. Ironically, Pagano edged out his best friend and Iona Prep teammate, Tim Perley, who was swimming alongside him in lane three. He also beat his New York Athletic Club teammate, Mitchell Towne, who was in lane five.
Westchester Country Club won its second consecutive title, finishing with 857.50 points. Lake Isle Swim Team was the runner-up (748.50 points) and Greenwich Swim Team was third (748 points).
Tim is my best friend, said Pagano, who will attend Johns Hopkins in the fall and continue swimming. He and I have swam together, gone to school together and even worked together for a couple of summers.
Pagano was happy to finish his summer-swim-club career with a victory, but wanted to reflect on what the time meant to him.
Summer swimming is a lot of fun and I have enjoyed the time Ive had here, Pagano said. I cant express the feelings I have. Its fun to compete and its fun to win. New York Athletic Club will always be my home. I will be next year, helping out. This win will always be special to me, though, because this was my last race.
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