Junior Max Buchen comes from a line of tennis players, but he has made his mark as a swimmer. On March 3rd, he ranked third among public school swimmers in New York State.

Max used play tennis  but he stopped to focus on swimming. Max is on the Westhampton Beach swim team and in the Three Village Swimmers club. His coaches are from his club team, but his number one supporter who is always there to cheer him on is Spanish teacher Mrs Lagattolla, who acts as the swim coach. 

Mrs. Lagattolla admires the dedication and desire Max puts into swimming. She said, “He sets goals and achieves them.” 

She is excited to watch him go places next year. This week Max received post season awards: All county, All State, All Long Island, and All American consideration. His personal best is 56.54 seconds in the breaststroke.

This March, Max and a few other teammates traveled up to Ithaca for the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Boys Swimming Championships. He placed fourth in the 100-yard breaststroke. Max’s feelings towards being placed fourth are very positive and he feels good to be in that spot. He said, “It opens up new opportunities. I can achieve bigger things I once thought were impossible.” Max doesn’t let his ego get in the way and each day as he continues to swim and train.

Max is hopeful to continue swimming in college at D1  Florida State University. Max’s brother, Casper, also goes to Florida State. Max loves the campus and feels the weather there is more ideal for swimming . Max has a lot of potential in his swimming career, and is already impressive as a junior in high school.