When 14-year-old Ava Addotta took first place in the annual Andy Rooney Swim Meet last week, it was at the front of a team that included many of her friends, including fifth place swimmer Hayden Gill.
But it was more emotional at the award ceremony following the meet that attracted 104 swimmers when Hayden Gill presented the Amy Lynn Gill Award to her friend and fellow swimmer.
The Award is named for Hayden’s mother, Amy Lynn,who was the long-time swimming coach of both young women and a respected role model and coach for numerous swimmers throughout the Monmouth County area. Amy Lynn died earlier this year and her family established the award together with an annual college scholarship award for a Hazlet high school graduate. Amy Lynn taught at Raritan High School for 24 years in addition to starting a swim team and serving as a certified lifeguard.
Addotta’s finishing time of 23.15 for the one-mile ocean swim on a triangular course into the ocean, was 62 seconds faster than second place finisher Kylie Newton of Spring Lake. Siara Celentano of Lincroft finished third at 24:18, Salena Huang of Brooklyn fourth at 24:23 and Gill fifth at 25.29.
The fastest male swimmer was Santiago Massone of Wall, also 14 years of age, who finished the mile in 21.50.
“The entire meeting was emotional and meant so much to all of us,” said Brian Gill of Locust, Hayden’s father and the widower of Amy Lynn. “Ava is one of my daughter’s best friends and to have Hayden present the award to her was so meaningful and unforgettable.”
The winning swimmer was also very close to Hayden’s mom as Ava’s mom Christi and Amy Lynn took turns driving both girls to swim practices and swim meets for several years.
Both teenage athletes hold records of their own as well. Ava’s win at 14 years of age makes her the youngest female to ever win this event, and Hayden has been swimming in the event for five years, ever since she was nine years old, the youngest swimmer to ever compete in the Andy Rooney meet.
In addition to Ada’ sand Hayden’s wins, numerous other members of their swim team NJRC placed among the top ten male and female overall swimmers.
More than 50 family members and friends turned out for watch the friends and club members compete for the top awards in both the male and female eventsl, and all decided their former swim coach was definitely present, in their midst and out on the ocean course.
The day started with a forecast for rain, and showers and at times a heavy downpour before the first swimmers were set to go into the water at 7:30. But showers that were coming down at 7 a.m. and threats of further storms abruptly came to an end before the 7:30 start, and all agreed “Amy had something to do with that,” Gill said.
“We are so grateful to Charlie Rooney and the entire swim meet organization that enabled us to give the Amy Lynn Gill Award at the event,” Gill said, “it is an honor we so appreciate and will be doing every year from now on. Our deepest thanks to all who made this possible.”
The Swim Meet coincidentally came within hours of what would have been Amy Lynn’s 50th birthday. The Gill family coordinated their celebration with the meet and held a Celebration of Life for Amy at the Proving Ground in Highlands the afternoon of the swim meet. More than 150 people turned out for that event, which also raised funds for the Amy Lynn Gill Scholarship for a graduating Raritan high School senior next year. Applicants for that award must be Raritan students, must be in the swim club and in addition to scholastics, must also donate 15 hours in their senior year to community service. This year’s Celebration of Life for Amy Lynn raised approximately $4,000 for the scholarship.
A “Live Like Amy” team was also put together for the Navesink 5K run scheduled for December with those proceeds also benefiting the scholarship fund.
“Both Hayden and I are so grateful to so many people,” Gill said after the celebration, “not only for remembering Amy in such warm and loving ways but contributing to a scholarship fund that will continue to help young people grow, maintain high values and know the importance of friendship. Amy’s legacy is truly overwhelming…she is missed by so many people.”
Read More Stories About This Amazing Woman … Amy Lynn Gill HERE
