Garden City swimmer, diver named Newsday’s Top 25


Garden City’s Lauren Kuzma and Cameron Yuen have both been a part of the Varsity Swimming and Diving team since seventh grade. Since then, they’ve broken school records, qualified for New York State Championships, and most recently, were named Newsday Top 25 Swimmers and Divers on Long Island.

Lauren still remembers her first county championships in seventh grade, feeling the pressure of racing in one of Garden City’s most critical events. Shaking from stress on the pool deck, Lauren recalls one of the senior girls embracing her to calm her nerves. The older girl told to swim her heart out, give all that she could give and how amazing performances would follow. Those inspiring words stuck with Lauren all throughout her varsity experience, helping her accrue an impressive list of achievements. She’s attended the New York State Championships since eighth grade — placing 11th in the 100 yard breaststroke and 27th in the 200 yard Individual Medley in sophomore year, then improving her standing to 4th and 7th respectively in her junior year (in both events she holds the school record) — and has been awarded All-County the past four years in all of her events and relays. This past year, as co-captain of the team, she sought to echo the energy passed on to her five seasons ago. Lauren was named a Newsday Top 25 Swimmer on Long Island, etching her name into Garden City’s history. But if there’s anything she wants to be remembered for, it’s her leadership and dedication to the team; she believes it’s the least she could do for a team that has given her so many lasting memories and friendships.

Cameron, diving since he was six-years-old, has always possessed the same motivation: make diving standout. Confused as to why people would seemingly substitute the word “swimming” in when talking about diving, Cameron has sought to shine light on his sport for twelve years. Throughout his varsity career, he has broken the 6 and 11 Dive event records and was awarded All-County and All-Long Island every year since seventh grade, has qualified for the New York State Championships since freshman year — making the final round, placing 18th and 13th in freshman and junior year, respectively — and was also named a Newsday Top 25 Diver on Long Island. Causing ripples in and out of the pool, Cameron not only tries to do the best for himself, but for his team. Back in sixth grade, not yet on the roster, he helped coach the female and male divers; over the years, he still continues to help his fellow divers as their mentor and friend. As co-captain this past season, Cameron preaches a “one-team” mantra, not only highlighting the importance of diving, but unifying the swimmers and divers under the same idea: standout, together.

Moving forward, Lauren will be swimming for Binghamton University, and Cameron will be diving for Tufts University.

  • Kuzma diving in to compete in the 200 yard Individual Medley against Bellmore Merrick

    Kuzma diving in to compete in the 200 yard Individual Medley against Bellmore Merrick

  • 7th grader Kuzma stepping up for the 100 yard Breastroke at the Long Beach Invitational

    7th grader Kuzma stepping up for the 100 yard Breastroke at the Long Beach Invitational

  • Coach Anne Sullivan presenting Kuzma with her first place award in the 100 yard Breastroke at the 2019 Nassau County Championship

    Coach Anne Sullivan presenting Kuzma with her first place award in the 100 yard Breastroke at the 2019 Nassau County Championship

  • Yuen performing his last dive, inward one-and-a-half pike, at the Bellmore Merrick dual meet to break the school record

    Yuen performing his last dive, inward one-and-a-half pike, at the Bellmore Merrick dual meet to break the school record

  • 7th grade Yuen at his first Nassau County Diving Award Ceremony, where he placed 3rd

    7th grade Yuen at his first Nassau County Diving Award Ceremony, where he placed 3rd

  • Yuen sharing a laugh with other divers at the Manhasset dual meet

    Yuen sharing a laugh with other divers at the Manhasset dual meet

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