Hey from the wonderful state of Massachusetts. My name is Elizabeth Mancuso, but most people call me Liz or if they want to get funny with me friends call me Cuzco. Let’s see where to begin. Well, I’m 16 years old and finishing up my sophomore year of high school. I cannot wait to be an upper classman next year!

This is my first year as a member of a YMCA team. This winter I joined the Andover/North Andover Y and am part of the ANA Hurricanes Swim Team. The best part of the team is definitely the atmosphere. Our head coach, Paul Bennett, is an amazing guy; he certainly makes it fun to come to practice. In addition to that, my teammates are great. I would love to talk about each of them in this letter but that would be too much! Let’s just say they’re a bunch of characters.

As I said before this is my first full season as a YMCA member making this long course Y Nationals my first ever, too. Although I qualified in the winter, I was not able to attend due to school finals, but I’m ready and raring to go! The girls on my team that have competed in Nationals before will not stop talking about the experiences they’ve had in the previous years. Just typing this letter is making me excited and wishing the meet was this week. I’ve qualified in seven events: 50 and 100 Free, 50, 100, 200 Back, 100 Fly and the 200 IM. I’m also super close in the 50 Fly and 200 Free. I will also be swimming the relays.

Well, I got to go, early morning practice tomorrow. Don’t those just kill you? Until next time!

Love,

Liz