The Yale women's swimming and diving team welcomes 10 new Bulldogs to the squad this season. The Class of 2017 includes eight swimmers and two divers.
The incoming freshmen join the Bulldogs for the second season with Jim Henry as Yale's Robert J.H. Kiphuth Head Coach of Women's Swimming and Diving. His assistants are Chris Bergère and Danielle Korman.
"We are pleased that in our first season at Yale we were able to add such a versatile and accomplished class," said Henry. "These 10 women are all remarkable students with high academic goals that are excited about swimming and diving in the Ivy League. The Class of 2017 brings with it an enormous amount of potential that will add to the rich tradition of Yale Swimming and Diving. Chris, Dani and I are pleased that these young women have put their trust in Yale University and our program. We are thrilled that they value the Yale education and the opportunities that await them within the Yale community."
The class represents six different states (Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Tennessee and Texas) and the District of Columbia.
The Bulldogs went 5-2 in dual meets vs. Ivy League competition this past season. The 10 incoming freshmen help offset the graduation loss of seven seniors from that squad. Rising senior Chelsea Dunlap (Westlake, Texas) is the team's new captain.
Here are the top times for the incoming freshmen, and their reasons for choosing Yale:
Michelle Chintanaphol
Harpeth Hall/Nashville Aquatic Club
Nashville, Tenn.
200 Back 1:59.6
100 Back 56.2
200 IM 2:05.4
"I found Yale to be the perfect fit for me -- the endless opportunities, the close-knit communities of the residential colleges, the intellectual curiosity everywhere, and of course, the food. I love the balance of athletics and academics at Yale, and the friendly and fun swim team and coaches make Yale feel like a welcoming home for the next four years."
Elizabeth Fosburgh
Woodrow Wilson High School/Machine Aquatics
Washington, D.C.
100 Fly 56.8
200 Fly 2:03.5
100 Back 57.0
"I chose Yale because I wanted a school with a competitive, tight knit team with a positive outlook in addition to rigorous academics. Yale offers both and I couldn't be more excited!"
Mackenzie Franklin
Westlake High School/Nitro Swimming
Austin, Texas
200 Free 1:50.6
100 Free 51.1
50 Free 23.6
"I chose Yale because it combines an outstanding academic reputation with a team that has a very cohesive spirit, and makes you feel welcome from the start."
Sydney Hirschi
Loretto Academy/West Texas Typhoon
El Paso, Texas
100 Fly 55.2
200 Fly 1:59.4
200 IM 2:04.9
"Yale is a place where I hope I can continue to grow as an athlete and a student at a remarkable university. I also felt a strong connection to the coaches and the swimmers."
Isla Hutchinson-Maddox
Sacred Heart Academy/Agua Swimming
New York, N.Y.
1650 Free 16:28.3
1000 Free 9:50.3
200 Fly 2:00.0
"I chose Yale because it offered an environment where I felt like I could flourish both as an athlete and a student. When I walked onto the campus for a tour four years ago, it just felt like home."
Olivia Jameson
Bedford High School/North Shore Swim Club
Bedford, Mass.
200 Back 2:01.5
200 Free 1:50.0
500 Free 5:02.0
"I chose Yale because when I step onto the campus, I feel like I am coming home. Yale has so much to offer in terms of academics and guidance, and swimming for Jim and Dani and with this group of girls will be an amazing experience."
Olivia Loucks
New Trier High School
Winnetka, Ill.
1M Diving 438.70
3M Diving 381.95
"I chose Yale for its incredible sense of community, combined with the perfect balance of athletic, academic and social life it offers. I fell in love with the sense of belonging I felt among such a passionate and diverse student body, and the swimming and diving team couldn't have been more welcoming. I knew that Yale would be the place where I could make the most of my four years of college, while being inspired by my peers and professors to grow in ways I never thought I would."
Lilybet McRae
Phillips Academy
Andover, Mass.
1M Diving 436.30
3M Diving 487.40
"I chose Yale because Yale offers the ideal college experience for me. I was immediately attracted to Yale because of its diverse and interesting community. Yale's competitive swimming and diving program is a welcoming and supportive team. The challenging academics, time-honored traditions and enthusiastic athletics are all what made me want to go to Yale."
Anna Wujciak
Fenton High School/Greater Flint YMCA
Flint, Mich.
200 Free 1:47.6
50 Free 23.1
100 Free 50.3
"Since academics were the first priority in my college search, Yale was at the top of my list because of its long-standing tradition of educational excellence. Through an incredible series of coincidences, I fell in love with the university and its equally amazing athletic program."
Kina Zhou
Niskayuna High School/Albany Starfish
Niskayuna, N.Y.
100 Free 50.1
200 Free 1:48.3
200 IM 2:02.3
"I chose Yale because I knew that it was the perfect place for me. It has everything that I want- exceptional academics, incredible athletics and an amazing community."
