MatchPoint NYC Swim Team Hosts A Party For Graduating Seniors

Dear Parents and Swimmers,

On August 11th, the MatchPoint NYC Swim Team coaches held a Graduation Party for graduating seniors Yousef Hafez, Benjamin Idelchik, Youssef Elkhouly, Claire Platt, Ethan Law, Guiseppe DiMaggio, and Gregory Kuznetsov. 

A big thank you goes out to the MatchPoint NYC Café staff for providing excellent service, organization, and tasty food for the party. 

The team reminisced on their great memories at practices, competitions, the car rides, the laughs, and what they learned from wins and losses. They all gave their own speeches, as well. These seniors were always a great example for younger swimmers with their amazing work ethic and swimming ability – which we are sure they will carry with them into college. 

Each Senior wrote some words to reflect on their time at MatchPoint NYC and tell us about their future:

Yousef Hafez: St. Francis College 

“I will be graduating from Brooklyn Studio High School. I have been swimming for MatchPoint since the age of 12. I grew up in this team and alongside my teammates. We formed a bond that was more like family rather than a team. From the competitive races to the funny jokes and laughs, this team has helped make me the person I am today. I got to learn from an amazing, hardworking, yet laid back coach while also challenging myself to be the best I could be. Thank you Coach Konstantin for everything you have done for me and my teammates. I will continue to use the things I learned from this team as I continue my journey at St. Francis College.”

Benjamin Idelchik: Binghamton University

“I have been swimming with the MatchPoint senior team for 3 years, and it’s been the best three years of my life. My coaches and teammates played a huge role in my life and we spent so much time together. I will continue to swim at Binghamton University and pursue a medical track. Thank you to all my teammates, Kostya and Dima for making the last three years as special as it was.”

Youssef Elkhouly: Baruch College

“I graduated from the High School of Telecommunications Arts & Technology in June. I am heading to Baruch College in the fall to study Business Management. I’ve been swimming for MatchPoint since my sophomore year in high school. I met some amazing coaches, and made amazing friendships. I am happy to be moving on to college, but also sad that I will be leaving some great people in MatchPoint. I want to thank my great coach Kostya for everything he has done for me and for believing in me. My advice to any swimmers younger than me is to always work your hardest and stay motivated. Never being comfortable where you are will always make you strive to be greater.”

Claire Platt: LIU Brooklyn

“I graduated from Leon M. Goldstein High School for the Sciences in June of 2021. I will be attending LIU Brooklyn in the fall
of 2021 where I will be pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. I have been swimming at MatchPoint for 7 years. I personally want to thank Coach Kosta and Coach Dima for an amazing experience from beginning to end and for their determination and sportsmanship. I appreciate their investment in my life. I am also very grateful for my talented teammates who always had my back, fueled our mutual efforts, and made this an unforgettable career.”

Ethan Law: Long Island University

“I am graduating from NYC Lab High School, class of 2021. This fall semester I will be attending Long Island University with the intention of becoming a nurse after 4 years of college. I’ve been swimming competitively for the past 6 years under Konstantin. I am very proud to announce that the LIU coach recruited me, and I will be swimming Division 1.”

Guiseppe DiMaggio: University of Buffalo

“I am a graduating senior at Brooklyn Technical High School. I will be attending The University at Buffalo this coming Fall with an intended major in nursing. I have been swimming for MatchPoint for a long time, and it saddens me knowing I will be leaving. MatchPoint and its coaches have given me the opportunity to grow, not only in my swimming career, but also as a person, and for that I am thankful. I am grateful for the memories and relationships MatchPoint helped me create, many of which I will never forget. Without Konstantin’s and Dima’s passion for swimming and the swimmers at MatchPoint, many memories would not have been possible, and MatchPoint wouldn’t be what it was for me. Because of that, I thank them.”

Gregory Kuznetsov: Fordham University

“I graduated from Bay Ridge Prep High School in 2021. I joined MatchPoint in the fall of 2014. While swimming in this team, I drastically improved as a swimmer and I got to meet many great people. These past three years have been incredibly productive. Working with Dima and Kostya has helped me learn many new skills. Applying these skills during meets has made this experience more worthwhile. I will be attending Fordham University in the fall; I will major in business. Since my campus does not have a swim team, I will continue swimming in MatchPoint.”

Coach Konstantin penned a letter to the seniors:

“Dear MatchPoint NYC Swim Team High School Graduates,

It is a very proud moment for us as you go off to college. Chasing a dream requires your efforts and passion. Hard work isn’t over when you graduate; it’s just a break as you enter the new battlefields of life. Good luck and congratulations! Your success is well-deserved!

Set your goals high and don’t stop until you get there. We will always be proud to see your name on future National Swim Meets rankings and you will always be welcome at the MatchPoint NYC swimming pool. Best wishes for your college swimming career ahead!”
Coach Konstantin Petrov & Swim Team Coaches

Good luck to you all and as always: Swim onward, MatchPoint NYC!