96 The QUEE NS Courier • february 6, 2014 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com sports TAKE A LAP Molloy swims to championships BY LIAM LA GUERE lguerre@queenscourier.com The members of the Archbishop Molloy High School girls swim team are still princesses of the pool. The team made a big splash on February 2, winning its second consecutive crown in the GCHSAA Division A championship at Eisenhower Park on Long Island. The win also completes the second consecutive undefeated season for the team. “We had a very strong team,” said Swimming Director Donald Green. “Everybody on the team did their personal best.” During the championships, Molloy competed so well that the swim squad set new school records. The team won all three relay events, and set records in the 200 yard medley and 400 free style relays. Molloy senior co-captain Alexandra Rubiano won the 100 yard butterfly with a time of 59.4 seconds, which became the new school record in that category. And Rubiano received the Joe and Anna Stetz Outstanding Career Swimmer Award, which is given to the league’s top senior swimmer. Green attributes the girls’ winning ways to their work ethic. He said they come in September eager to practice and set goals for themselves for the year. The team even trains during winter break. “It’s actually the girls’ mind set,” Green said. “Basically, we are just there to help and guide them. They know what they want and they go and achieve it.” After having won the championships again, the girls are aiming to make it a three-peat. “They are already talking about next year,” Green said. “They already set their minds that they want to do this again next year.” Photo courtesy of Archbishop Molloy The Archbishop Molloy girls swimming team won its second consecutive league title. THE QUEENS COURIER PRESENTS ‘SPORTS STAR OF THE WEEK’ Name: ALEXANDRA Rubiano School: Archbishop Molloy High School Sport: Swimming Grade: Senior Position: Captain Archbishop Molloy girls varsity swimming co-captain Alexandra Rubiano is an outstanding student and athlete. Rubiano has been a major reason her team was able to win consecutive GCHSAA Division A swimming championships, during back-to-back undefeated seasons. Rubiano was awarded the league’s Outstanding Career Swimmer award as top senior swimmer. Rubiano holds the school’s record for the 200 yard individual medley and the 100 yard butterfly. Besides her high school team, Rubiano is also part of the LaGuardia Twisters, an independent swimming organization. Out of the pool, Rubiano maintains a 90 average at Molloy and is part of the school’s Asian Club and environmental advocacy group, I A.M. Green. In I A.M. Green, she helps the school recycle and participates in an annual clean up at Rockaway Beach. Rubiano has also been in the school band for three years, playing the flute. She dreams of majoring in physical therapy at Hunter College, where she hopes to join the swim team. STAR of the WEEK STAR of the WEEK ALEXANDRA RUBIANO When did you start swimming? “I learned how to swim when I was two and have been on the team (LaGuardia Twisters) since six. I didn’t start competing until I was eight.” What has motivated you? “I have to say pressure is a major factor. You always have to push yourself to be better.” What have you learned by being a leader? “I’ve gained a lot of experience in being a leader that I didn’t have before. I have learned to communicate better with others and be more open. I hope to bring that to college.” How does it feel to graduate, having won two championships? “It’s pretty amazing. I remember I finished my last event and I came out of the water and I said to another of the co-captains that this was our last high school race. It just felt great over all.” Photos courtesy Alexandra Rubiano
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