WPHS sends off athletes with pride to state swimming and diving championships

Five standout athletes at White Plains High School received a spirited send-off Thursday morning on their way to the 2025 NYSPHSAA Girls Swimming & Diving State Championships in Webster, N.Y.

Students lined the hallways and shouted encouragement as the athletes — Ryleigh Baumann, Neve Aikman, Kelly Constantino, Fiona Blaho and Gianna Ebert — walked through and waited briefly for a school bus to arrive at the PE circle.

A squad of WPHS cheerleaders led the celebration for the five beaming students, who waved at their peers as they carried their backpacks and luggage through the corridors.

Several police vehicles and a White Plains Fire Department truck – lights flashing and sirens wailing -- escorted the students to their first stop in Edgemont, where the athletes would transfer to a coach bus for their six-hour journey to the Rochester area.

Among the competitors is Ryleigh, senior diver and team captain, who was also recognized Monday during the school’s celebration of WPHS seniors accepted into NCAA Division I programs.

Varsity coach Cosme “Cos” Carmona shared his pride in the group shortly before their departure.

“We have our diver, Ryleigh Baumman, a senior captain, who qualified for diving in the New York State Championships. And then we have four additional swimmers for our 200-free relay: senior captain Kelly Constantino, Neve Aikman, Gianna Ebert and our eighth-grader, Fiona Blaho,” Mr. Carmona said.

“And Fiona has also qualified for two separate individual events—the 200-freestyle and the 100- butterfly. All 12 sections are involved and we’re Section 1. Swimmers from every corner of New York State will be in Rochester for the meet,” he added.

Also on hand for the send-off were coach Rebecca Doherty, Athletic Director Matt Cameron and Assistant Athletic Director Michael Chappas.

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association Girls Swimming & Diving Championships, a culmination of months of training, bring together hundreds of top athletes from more than 200 schools statewide, representing all 12 athletic sections in New York.

Competitors take part in a full slate of events, including individual races in freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and individual medley; relay events; and 1-meter diving. The meet kicks off with preliminaries on Friday at the Webster Aquatic Center.

For information on the championships, click here.