1981 Girls' Swimming Team

The 1981 Girls’ Varsity Bethpage Eagles Swim Team was among the most successful teams of any sport in the school’s history. Coached by Cheryl Van Syckle and captained by Susan McDonnell and Beth Paola, they lived up to their nickname - the B.E.S.T.! They had a season record of 11-0 and were the Undefeated Nassau Conference Champions & Undefeated County Champions. In national coaching polls they ranked first in New York State and 25th in the U.S. Every swimmer and diver on the team placed in the top 24 competitors in their respective events and qualified to compete in the Nassau County Team Championships. As a team, they earned 86 first place finishes out of 100 events and almost all were by decisive margins. They set many school records, two of which still stand today: 100 Yard Breaststroke, held by Linda Chambers, and the 200 Yard Medley Relay, held by Beth Paola, Linda Chambers, Gloria Mooney and Janine Dhersigny. Four swimmers qualified for the State Championship that year: Linda Chambers, Janine Dhersigny, Susan McDonnell and Beth Paola. The Relay team placed sixth in the States that year. Ms. Van Syckle gave the 1981 MVP Awards to Linda Chambers and Beth Paola. Ms. Van Syckle remains incredibly proud of the team’s achievements that year and the B.E.S.T. traditions of excellence they represented.