District News

The swimming talents of Lancaster native Kristen Romano will soon be seen on the international stage as she competes in the 2024 Summer Olympics in France. Romano, who attended Lancaster schools through her sophomore year in 2015, will compete for Puerto Rico in the 200-meter individual medley.

“The first time I walked on deck, I knew I wanted to be in the pool,” Romano told the Buffalo News. “From that point on, I wanted to make my mark, and being an Olympian was always one of my biggest goals from the time. I was a tiny girl on the pool deck at Stingrays in Lancaster at 3. Having that goal in mind for over 20 years — and when you achieve it, it’s almost like you can’t process it that its coming to fruition.”

Romano, a Section VI champion while competing at Lancaster High School, finished her high school career at Long Beach High School in Nassau County. She then continued her swimming career at Ohio State University, setting New York state, college program and Puerto Rican national records along the way. She has competed with Puerto Rico since 2018 through the Puerto Rican heritage of her mother. This will be her first appearance at the Olympics.

Romano said some of the influential staff members during her time in Lancaster were Mr. Doody, Mr. Pokrywczynski and Mrs. Eberhart. 

Swimming events at this year’s Olympics are scheduled for July 27 through August 4 at the Paris La Défense Arena in Nanterre. Information about viewing the event can be found at https://www.nbcolympics.com/schedule/event/womens-200m-individual-medley-swm-w.

The full Buffalo News report can be read at https://buffalonews.com/sports/high-school/kristen-romano-olympic-swimming-lancaster/article_8230208e-46cb-11ef-8e83-abc8696917d2.html.