Colgate head coach Andy Waeger announced Wednesday the addition of 14 student-athletes to the men’s and women’s swimming and diving rosters for 2016-17.
“Coach Justin Jennings has assembled a fantastic recruiting class, and the future of our program is in good hands with the addition of these fine men and women to the program,” Waeger said. “They are versatile and provide our team with depth we haven’t seen in years. We graduated a terrific senior class that we will miss greatly. But with continued hard work in and out of the swimming pool, Justin, Deidre and I believe this program is primed to move to the next level.
“Colgate University continues to impress me with just how far its reach is. We have 14 new members of our team representing 10 different states.”
Women’s Swimming and Diving
Samantha Adams
Hometown: Winnetka, Ill.
High School: New Trier
During her time at New Trier HS, Adams helped the girls team win two straight Illinois State Championships in 2012 and 2013. She was a three-year varsity letter recipient. Adams won a conference championship in the 100 fly and was a two-time Central Suburban League All-Conference First Team selection in 2013 and 2014. Adams swam for her club team, New Trier Swim Club in Winnetka, the last four years, including year-round her senior year. She is a two-time NCSA qualifier in the 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle, 200 freestyle, 100 butterfly and 200 individual medley, as well as a Winter Junior Nationals relay qualifier (400 free, 400 medley), and a top-8 finisher at the 2015 Illinois Senior Championship in the 100 freestyle. During her high school career, she was a member of New Trier High School's Honor Society, received the Service and Leadership Award through her tutoring in the Reading and Writing Center and was awarded by the Girl Scouts of America the Gold Award and Silver Award, the two highest honors for the Girl Scouts.
Coach Waeger says: “Sam comes from a strong program and is going to be an impact swimmer in our freestyle events. She will add some depth to our talented butterfly corps.”
Kelly Arel
Hometown: Pittsburgh
High School: Fox Chapel
Originally from Weston, Connecticut, Arel joins the Raider squad after graduating from Fox Chapel Area High School in Pittsburgh. She also swam for Team Pittsburgh Aquatics and was a WPIAL Championships and Eastern Zone Sectional Championships qualifier. Additionally, Arel was an Allegheny Mountain Swimming Scholastic All-American and a member of the Athlete Committee. In the classroom, she was an AP Scholar and member of National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, and president of National Spanish Honor Society.
Coach Waeger says: “Kelly comes from a great swimming program that will help her make the adjustment to our program. She is an up-and-coming swimmer who is going to help us out a lot in the freestyle events.”
Taylor Atkin
Hometown: Bronxville, N.Y.
High School: Riverdale Country
Atkin comes to Colgate from Bronxville, N.Y., just outside New York City. A graduate of Riverdale Country School, Atkin maintained honor roll status throughout high school. She joined her high school team in the eighth grade. An eastern interscholastic swimming and diving championship finalist for Riverdale Country, Atkin also swims for Empire Swim Club. Outside of the pool, Atkin spends her time as a “Best Buddies” and Special Olympics volunteer.
Coach Waeger says: “Taylor has made some huge improvements and dropped some serious time her senior year. We can’t wait to keep the momentum going!”
Jessica Cho
Hometown: Briarcliff Manor, N.Y.
High School: Briarcliff
Cho began swimming for her varsity team in eighth grade. On the club circuit she also has swum for Empire Aquatic Swim Team and later joined the Westchester Marlins. She also was the Boys & Girls Club 200 breaststroke champion at the 2013 Florida National meet. In high school, Cho was a sectional qualifier and a two-time All-League recipient swimmer. During her senior year she was a team captain and awarded the Briarcliff Coach’s Award. Academically, Cho maintained high honor roll all four years of high school. She also was a gold medalist for the National Spanish exam and the recipient of the Mount Holyoke Book Award. Cho took part in a research project at Cornell University that looked at the effects of alleviating malnutrition in third-world countries by studying prebiotics and diet. She also was a member of the National Honor Society, Math Honor Society and Dance Honor Society.
Coach Waeger says: “Jessica came onto our radar late in the recruiting process and we’re lucky to have her join us. She is going to be a great addition to the breaststroke events.”
Kiersten Daly
Hometown: Weston, Conn.
High School: Weston
Daly is a member of the Wilton Y Wahoos National Team and is a six-time YMCA Nationals finalist. In 2013-14, Daly was a USA Swimming Scholastic All-American. She was a captain of the Weston HS Lady Trojans swim team and an 11-time All-State and All-South Western Conference swimmer. Daly helped lead Weston to three consecutive state titles. In the classroom, Daly is a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and Latin Honor Society.
Coach Waeger says: “Kiersten is such a versatile swimmer. The longer the race, the faster she goes. She has the potential to score some valuable team points at the Patriot League Championships as a first-year student-athlete.”
Lauren de Torres
Hometown: Kinnelon, N.J.
High School: Kinnelon
A 2016 graduate of Kinnelon High School, de Torres comes to Colgate after swimming on the varsity team for four years. In her senior year, she was named team captain and earned All-County First Team and All-State awards. She qualified for Meet of Champions all four years. Additionally de Torres was named Suburban Trends Swimmer of the Year and earned the Morris County Scholar-Athlete Award. As a club swimmer, de Torres was a member of the Lakeland Hills YMCA National Team from 2012-16. She is a YMCA Nationals qualifier in the 100 and 200 breaststrokes, 100 butterfly as well as the 200 and 400 individual medleys. Academically, de Torres was a USA Swimming Scholastic All-American from 2013-16. She also was a member of the National Honor Society, Latin Honor Society and French Honor Society, serving as treasurer and secretary.
Coach Waeger says: “Lauren is a very well-rounded swimmer and very talented. She is a great fit for the program and is another first year with Patriot League scoring potential.”
Morgan Desautelle
Hometown: Darien, Conn.
High School: Darien
Desautelle comes to Colgate from Darien, Conn., having graduated from Darien High School. She was four year letter-winner at Darien and was a finalist at the State Open High School Championships her junior and senior year, swimming the 100 backstroke. She also swims with the Darien YMCA Piranhas. Academically, Morgan was inducted into the National Honor Society.
Coach Waeger says: “Morgan is going to continue grow and improve at Colgate. She will fill some important holes for us in the backstroke events.”
Carolyn Silverman
Hometown: Flanders, N.J.
High School: Villa Walsh Academy
Silverman as a senior was a finalist in the 100 back at the Meet of Champions. She holds two school records in the 100 back and 200 medley relay, while twice being named All-Conference First Team. Additionally, Silverman twice was named to the Star-Ledger All Morris County All-Academic First Team. She was a member of student government at Villa Walsh. As a member of the Morris County Swim Club, Silverman was a USA Swimming Sectional qualifier in the 200 back and an NCSA Junior National qualifier in 100 back.
Coach Waeger says: “Carolyn is a very talented swimmer who could be our top backstroker as a first year. She has Patriot League scoring potential and a lot of room to grown in our program.”
Men’s Swimming and Diving
Hank Alderoty
Hometown: Rumson, N.J.
High School: Rumson-Fair Haven
Alderoty comes to Colgate from Rumson, NJ where he went to Rumson-Fair Haven. He was a four-year member of the varsity program at Rumson-Fair Haven and was named team captain as a senior. During his time, Rumson-Fair Haven won two division championships and a state championship.
Coach Waeger says: “Hank is another member of our recruiting class who came to us late in the game, but I am sure glad he did. He is a young, raw, sprint specialist who will make big strides in our program.”
Jinwon Bailar
Hometown: Park City, Utah
High School: Park City
Bailar won 11 Utah state high school and USA Senior Championships in events including 100 and 200 backstroke, 100 butterfly, 50 freestyle, 200 individual medley and 200 medley relay. He graduated as the Utah Class 3A state record-holder in the 100 backstroke and 200 freestyle relay, and was the Utah Coaches Association Male Swimmer of the Year for 2014 and 2015. In addition to being a four-time NCSA Junior Nationals qualifier, Jinwon set dozens of team and individual records for his high school and summer league teams.
Coach Waeger says: “Jinwon is going to be a difference maker in the back, fly and sprint free events for us. He should challenge some school records and will be one to watch as the season unfolds.”
Ian Flowers
Hometown: Rochester Hills, Mich.
High School: Rochester Adams
Flowers comes to Colgate as a four-year letterwinner at Rochester Adams. He was a four-year scholar-athlete, two-time All-League Academic Team, and helped Rochester Adams to a league championship in 2014. He also was named All-League three times in the 100 butterfly and 200 individual medley. Flowers qualified for the MHSAA Division 2 state championship during his junior and senior years. Additionally, Flowers trains with the USA Swimming Utica Shelby Swim Club. Academically, Flowers graduated as a scholar of achievement, a member of the National Honor Society, and a member of the freshman mentor program. He plans to pursue pre-med at Colgate.
Coach Waeger says: “Ian is a fantastic swimmer with a lot of potential and room to grown. We are excited to watch him improve in our program.”
Jason Godelman
Hometown: Calabasas, Calif.
High School: Crespi Carmelite
Godelman comes to Colgate from the Los Angeles area, where he graduated from Crespi Carmelite High School. He also is a member of the Los Angeles Swim Club. He was named team captain in 2016 and was on the Los Angeles Daily News Swimmers to Watch List for the past three seasons. Academically, Godelman has been on the Presidents Honor Roll all four years of high school by maintaining better than a 4.0 grade-point average.
Coach Wager says: “Jason is going to provide some much needed depth in a lot of events next year. He is well prepared to start his collegiate career here at Colgate.”
Colton Hall
Hometown: Medfield, Mass.
High School: Medfield
The son of Colgate alums Jed ’83 and Jennifer ’87 Hall comes to Colgate from Medfield, Mass., after attending Medfield High School. A four-year letterwinner and team captain during his senior season, Hall also was named the swimming and diving MVP and a Tri-Valley League All-Star. He swims for USA Swimming’s Kingfish team in Medfield and is a NASA and NCSA Junior National qualifier. Academically, Hall was a member of the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society while remaining in the top 10 percent of his class.
Coach Waeger says: “Colton will be an immediate impact swimmer. He is the 13th-ranked swimmer in his class out of Massachusetts. His 100 fly time is faster than our current school record, and I look for him to have a stellar career here at Colgate.”
Patrick Kelly
Hometown: Murfreesboro, Tenn.
High School: Oakland
Kelly joins the Raider squad as a seven-time NCSA Junior National Qualifier as well as a 10-time Tennessee high school state finalist. In addition to holding five individual Oakland High School records, Kelly was twice was named All-Region and three times All-Area. Additionally, Patrick was named Oakland High swimming MVP three times, team captain and is a 12-time Southeastern finalist. Academically, Kelly was the Oakland High School Valedictorian. He also was an International Baccalaureate Program Diploma Candidate as well as a member of Mu Alpha Theta, Beta Club and National Honor Society.
Coach Waeger says: “Patrick is another member of our class with a time faster than a school record. He can race just about anything and will make a huge splash for us this year.”
