Syosset's Nia Andrawis wins Nassau 1-meter diving crown
Nia Andrawis of Syosset jumps off the board during the Nassau girls diving championships on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026 at Nassau Aquatic Center in East Meadow. Credit: Joe Orovitz
After suffering an ankle injury as a gymnast, Syosset’s Nia Andrawis wanted to try something different. So, she chose swimming and diving.
And she has certainly made a strong first impression in her first season.
Andrawis won the Nassau 1-meter diving championship with a score of 503.90 at the Nassau Aquatic Center in East Meadow Wednesday.
“It still hasn’t hit me yet,” the senior said.
“My goal was to try to the best of my ability, no matter what place I came in. It mattered how I performed, and I’m happy with my performance.”
Manhasset diver Victoria Wang dominated the championships from 2022-25 and, with Wang now diving for Harvard, a new champion was needed.
Andrawis was glad to take the crown.
“I’m grateful for the coaches who believed in me,” Andrawis said. “I’m happy that I did the best I could and my hard work paid off.”
She has already broken multiple school records. Coach Tom Cornelia said the marks are a testament to her hard work.
“She’s always surprising me,” Cornelia said. “She’s a coach’s dream. I saw it from the beginning. We got someone with so much potential right from the start.”
Farmingdale’s Avery Schuhmacher placed second with a score of 501.85. Andrawis, Schuhmacher and third-place finisher Vienna Yu of Port Washington (475.15) will dive at the state championships, scheduled for Nov. 20 in Webster.
Schuhmacher has been to the state championships multiple times, but this time she wants to leave her mark.
“This is my third time, so it’s going to be fun,” she said. “I always strive to get better and come with a positive mindset.”
“I put in a lot of hard work,” Yu said. “I go to practice six times a week, two hours a day. It’s a lot, but it’s totally worth it.”
Lynbrook’s Victoria Coniglio placed fourth (440.30) and will also dive for a state championship.
“I’m so proud of myself,” Coniglio said. “I’ve come so far in my journey, and hearing all the cheers made me think, I can do this.”
Jonathan Ruban covers high school sports for Newsday after graduating from St. John’s.
