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Westchester County Swimming Championships Open Monday

RYE, N.Y. -- A tradition returns to Playland Amusement Park Pool on Monday, when the 87th annual Westchester County Swimming and Diving Championships begin.

Swimming will begin at 4:30 p.m. daily and run through Thursday.

Fifty-one teams encompassing the Westchester County Swim Conference and Northern Westchester Swim Conference will look to win the title. Last year, the Greenburgh Swim Team won its’ first title, dethroning six-time defending champion, Lake Isle Country Club. The Chappaqua Swim & Dive Team finished second.

Paul McClintock, a Westchester County Swimming and Diving Championships graduate and voice of the championships, looks forward to this annually.

“It is tradition handed down from grandparents, to their kids, to their kids, etc,” McClintock said. “It is also the only opportunity for both the Northern Westchester Swim Conference, the Westchester County Swim Conference and unattached swimmers to compete against each other.

“Because it is a trials and finals meet, it is a true championship opportunity for the athletes each night. Qualify, and return for an announced final each evening. This meet also takes the time to announce and award each events’ winners by stepping them up on the blocks to receive their awards.”

Originally, the 2011 championships were going to be final one at Playland. However, McClintock said that Westchester County Parks and Recreation kept the pool open this year, enabling the championships to return.

“The overall effort, in conjunction with a superb relationship with the County Department of Parks, works,” McClintock said. “Last, but not least, the foundation of the competition is completely supported 100 percent by volunteers. Everyone donates their time for the benefit of the young athletes, the tradition of the meet and the good of the sport.”

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