West Point Swim Meet

Duty, Honor, Country; the words proudly displayed across the West Point Military Academy Swimming pool.  The Sharks swim team attended the 2014 Special Olympics New York Spring Games West competition at West Point on Saturday April 26th.

Nestled along the Hudson River in the Hudson Highlands the West Point Military Academy is an institution steeped in history and tradition. A place the Sharks swim team is honored to be able to swim every year.

Attendees were greeted by an impressive and heart felt show of force from the cadets, who came out to “buddy up” with athletes for the day. “Having a cadet hang out with me for the day is my favorite part of the day,” said Sharks swimmer Carly Horowitz.  As always the cadets were attentive, polite and enthusiastic.

Shortly after the parade of athletes (a triumphant march around the track lined by West Point athletic teams cheering athletes on) the crowd was wowed by an aerial display from the West Point jumpers as they jumped from a chinook helicopter and parachuted with precision right onto the football field.

With our squad of cadets and spirits high the Sharks made the trek up from the stadium to the swimming pools where they would win glory in the water.

Having blown the competition out of the water at White Plains High School in March every athlete was charged with more events and greater distances to master at West Point. A task they accomplished handily.

The Sharks swim team brought home a bounty of gold, silver and bronze medals in events ranging from the 25 meter free style, 50 meter backstroke and 25 meter breast stroke.

When awarded their medals the athletes made their way to the podium where a United States Army colonel in dress regalia presented them with their prize as both posed for the camera.

The West Point meet is a culmination of everything our athletes have been working towards all year. An event we all look forward to. An event the Sharks compete in with duty, honor and country in mind.