Northwestern graduate, former space basketball coach participate in Navy SEAL Foundation NYC Seal Swim
“The only easy day was yesterday.”
That well-known Navy SEAL motto resonates with many Americans, and people highly effective phrases actually imply loads to Ken Termini and native highschool swimmers Jacob Piccini and Hunter Slaski.
Termini, Slaski and Piccini not too long ago confirmed their profound appreciation and patriotism for Navy SEALs, all veterans, and the women and men at the moment serving within the armed forces by participating within the Navy SEAL Foundation New York City SEAL Swim for Team 610.
Slaski is a current Northwestern Lehigh graduate, and Piccini is a senior at Parkland Area High School.
The swim came about on Aug. 19 in New York City, and is a multi-sport open-water swimming occasion that brings collectively Former SEALs, Veterans, Police Officers, Fire Fighters, First Responders and civilians from throughout the nation.
Termini – the previous Palmerton boys basketball coach – organized Team 610, which consisted of him, Slaski and Piccini. Being an avid open water swimmer and a previous participant of the New York City SEAL Swim, Termini wished to reveal native highschool swimmers to the occasion.
“I do a lot of open water swimming. Last year I took part in the New York City SEAL Swim, and I loved it. It was an amazing patriotic experience honoring our heroes,” mentioned Termini. “So, for this 12 months I based Team 610 with the aim of exposing native highschool swimmers to this wonderful occasion. I requested a few native highschool swim coaches if any of their swimmers want to try the 2025 Swim.
“Jacob and Hunter accepted the challenge and passed the qualifier on June 21 in Sea Bright, New Jersey. They earned the right to swim with our heroes on Aug. 16.”
The New York City SEAL Swim begins on the Empty Sky Memorial in Liberty State Park in New Jersey, and ends on the World Trade Center in Manhattan. The members enter the Hudson River at Liberty State Park and swim to the Statue of Liberty, the place they do 100 honor push-ups and 22 pull-ups for America’s freedoms and civil liberties.
Participants then swim from the Statue of Liberty to Ellis Island, the place they do 100 honor push-ups and 22 pull-ups for America’s range. Next, members swim throughout the Hudson River to Battery Park, the place they seize American flags and run to the World Trade Center in Manhattan for the ultimate stage of the occasion.
At the World Trade Center, members do 100 honor push-ups and 22 pull-ups to honor all those that misplaced their lives on Sept. 11, 2001, Extortion 17, and all Americans who put it on the road for the United States of America.
Piccini and Slaski skilled collectively beneath Parkland swimming coach Allison McPeek, who really useful each of the younger males for the occasion. Slaski skilled with the Trojans swim crew as a result of Northwestern doesn’t have a varsity crew.
Piccini was the primary to decide to the occasion, after which approached his good pal Slaski to tackle the problem with him. Piccini had a profitable 2024 season for the Trojans, ending second within the District 11 100-yard particular person freestyle, and was additionally part of the 400-yard freestyle relay crew that completed second.
Piccini was additionally a member of the Trojans 200-yard freestyle relay crew that introduced house the district gold.
“I’ve always wanted to do this event. When I was younger, I saw this event on the television and I always wanted to try it. But the main reason I wanted to do it was because I wanted to honor and raise money for the SEALs that have fallen,” mentioned Piccini. “It was the experience of a lifetime. I’m definitely going to try and do it again.”
The last stage of the occasion the place the members needed to run to the World Trade Center with American flags in hand actually had an impression on Piccini.
“They had two fireplace vehicles holding up an enormous American flag, and there have been bag pipers enjoying throughout the working half in Manhattan the place we ran to the World Trade Center. It was such an unimaginable scene to see.
“And then after we finished our last set of push-ups and pull-ups, they had speakers making remarks about stories on 9-11 and stories about the SEALs. Those stories were so meaningful and impactful, and it’s something I’ll never forget.”
After Piccini approached Slaski about becoming a member of him on the occasion, Slaski agreed to affix his pal. Slaski, who graduated from Northwestern this previous spring, is headed to the Coast Guard this fall the place he finally plans to use to Rescue Swimmer A-School.
Slaski additionally had a profitable swimming season in 2024, as he introduced house District 11 2A gold within the 100-yard butterfly, and got here in second within the 200-yard freestyle.
“Doing this was honestly one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life. It’s for a great cause. I loved doing it for them,” mentioned Slaski. “And I’m actually completely satisfied I made a decision to affix Jacob and do it as a result of I might have actually regretted it if I didn’t.
“There were so many cool experiences. Not too long from the start you get to this field and all of these paratroopers fly in. There were so many scenes like that throughout the day. It was truly surreal.”
Both Slaski and Piccini are skilled swimmers, however navigating the waters of the Hudson River was nonetheless a problem.
“Open water swimming is obviously much different than swimming in a pool. You have the waves, and then you need to really focus as well on staying on course,” mentioned Slaski. “Jacob and I stayed collectively fairly shut for the swimming half, although, in order that helped loads. But as a aggressive swimmer, you will have that mindset that you just need to be challenged and also you need to full that problem.
“And it was great that we could all do that together to honor our servicemen, because we all hold them in the highest regard. I am definitely going to take part in this event again.”
Part of the requirement for the New York City SEAL Swim is for groups to boost cash for the Navy SEAL Foundation, which supplies essential assist for the soldiers, veterans and households of Naval Special Warfare. Team 610 raised effectively over $20,000 for the Navy SEAL Foundation, which put them within the high 5 for funds raised, regardless of solely having three crew members.
“I hope to expand Team 610 to at least five high school swimmers next year. I ask that any high school swimming coaches with interested swimmers, please reach out to me,” mentioned Termini. “These two young men that dedicated their time to do this with me this year absolutely crushed it. I love my country, and so do these young men.”
Any highschool swimmers interested by becoming a member of Team 610 could contact Termini at KenTermini@yahoo.com.
Former Palmerton boys basketball coach Ken Termini poses with Jacob Piccini and Hunter Slaski with New York City within the background. The three took half within the Navy Seal Foundation New York City Seal Swim final month. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO