In fall 2023, Vivien Chen, a Croton-Harmon eighth-grader on the combined Croton/Hendrick Hudson Swim Team competed at the NY State Championship in the 100m freestyle. Chen had placed 1st in the Conference with a time of 54.32. This year, as a freshman at Croton-Harmon High School, Chen was a State Qualifier in the 100m freestyle (53.92) and the 50m freestyle (25:00) as she placed first in both events at the Conference Finals.
The 14-year-old Chen is now a repeat Section 1 Champion and competed in November at the NYSPHSAA Swim and Dive Championships held yearly at the Webster Aquatic Center in Albany, accompanied by her coaches, Lauren Siegel and Juliet Soricelli, who both teach in the Hendrick Hudson Central School District. Combining both Croton and Hendrick Hudson High School swimmers into one team has its challenges, but coaches, administrators, and the athletes have made it work.
After school, the team travels by bus to Mildred E Strang Middle School in Yorktown for practices and meets. Coach Siegel states, “Our team bonds over the extra travel time by making fun playlists and singing on the bus, or taking a quick nap before meets to rest up. It is a great chance for them to make new friendships, and they often spend time together outside of the season! During the season, the team works on building close relationships by participating in team bonding events such as apple picking and pasta dinners.” If being on a combined team seems like a lot to juggle for a high school athlete, it doesn’t appear that way, as many combined teams have had great success. Currently, Croton-Harmon athletes can join combined teams in Ice Hockey (Rivertown Legends), Gymnastics, Boys’ Volleyball (Briarcliff/Croton Bearcats), and Boys’ Swim.
Croton-Harmon Athletic Director Christine Drago believes these combined teams benefit all involved. Drago states, “Our merged girls swim team of Croton-Harmon and Hendrick Hudson has not only strengthened our competition but also fostered a sense of community and collaboration. By combining talent, resources, and team spirit, our swimmers are able to challenge themselves in new ways, build lasting friendships, and grow both individually and as athletes. This partnership truly demonstrates the power of teamwork and the incredible potential that comes when we work together for a common goal.”
Vivien Chen has put Croton-Harmon swimming on the map in New York State despite the district not having a pool. Coach Siegel can’t say enough about Chen’s work ethic and dedication to competitive swimming, “Vivien works hard day in and day out at practices and competes all year round on her club team, the Rivertown Rays. She is a fierce and determined young woman. In addition to competing in several varsity meets throughout the season, she also competes in club meets on the weekends and is consistently a top finisher in her events. In her most recent club meet which took place October 18-20, she placed 1st out of almost 100 swimmers in the 50 freestyle, 2nd place out of over 60 swimmers in the 200 freestye, and 3rd in the 100 freestyle, where over 100 girls competed. Vivien is one of the youngest swimmers on our team and in her age group at club meets.”
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