Swim & Dive Welcomes Eight Newcomers

Photo by: Ben Solomon

Oct 08 | Women's Swimming & Diving

Among eight freshmen joining the Scarlet Knights are an Olympian, a three-time European Championships gold medalist, and two high school All-Americans

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (Oct. 8, 2019) - Rutgers swimming and diving introduced eight freshmen with world-class experience to the 2019-20 roster.

Head swimming coach Jon Maccoll and head diving coach Fred Woodruff have added a rookie class with rich accolades in Olympic, international and high school swimming already in tow. Among them are an Olympian, a three-time European Championships gold medalist and two high school All-Americans.

The freshman class is set to make its debut this weekend at the Rutgers Preseason Tune-Up on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 11-12 at the Rutgers Aquatic Center against Princeton, Rider and Seton Hall.

Let's meet the newest recruits "On the Banks..."

Prior to Rutgers

2018 NISCA All-American diver out of Westford Academy in Massachusetts, where she held program records in 6- and 11-dive events
Runner-up at Massachusetts State Championships
1-meter and 3-meter qualifier at USA Swimming Zone Championships
Posted four consecutive undefeated seasons and won four consecutive state championships with the Westford Academy swimming and diving team.

Personal

Daughter of Kimberly and Kenneth
Has one sibling, Mark
Greatest sports influence is diving coach Joe Chirico

We are very excited to welcome Sam to our team this fall. Sam is a skillful and powerful diver who has the potential to develop into a highly successful collegiate diver. She brings a strong work ethic and a positive attitude which will serve her and her team well in the coming years.

Head diving coach Fred Woodruff

The school has a great mathematics and engineering program, and an incredible diving program, but what swayed me the most was all the friendly people and the great environment the school had.

Sam Blanc

Prior to Rutgers

Three-time gold medalist at the European Championships with the Russian relay team
Added a silver and bronze with the Russian relay team at the European Championships
Three-time Russian national championship medalist

Personal

Daughter of Irina and Andrei
Has one sibling, Egor
Proudest sports moment is winning five medals at the European Championships, despite swimming at a young age

She’s a 4.0 student, a gold medalist at Euros, and a multi-time finalist at the biggest events om in international swimming. She’s a stud in the pool. She’s an elite-level swimmer right now, and she’s going to get even faster while she’s here. She’s the real deal.

Head coach Jon Maccoll

Rutgers works with each individual student-athlete to prepare them for the
transition to college athletics and academics. The school specializes in business and this is a very good prospect for me and my future.

Sofia Chichaikina

Prior to Rutgers

Three-time Italian champion at the Junior Italian Championships in the 50-meter freestyle
Won six total medals at the Junior Italian Championships

Personal

Daughter of Nicolette Daniele amd Roberto

Giulia is one of the top swimmers in Italy, and carries on the tradition of Italy's elite swimmers calling Rutgers home. She's a fantastic sprinter with Junior European Championships experience in Italy. She, along with three other freshmen, will look to make our relays faster and shoot for a school record.

Head coach Jon Maccoll

I chose Rutgers because it is one of the most prestigious Universities in the world. It gives me possibilities for the future both in sport and in school.

Giulia Ghidini

Prior to Rutgers

A fifth place finisher in the 200-meter breaststroke at the FINA World Cup
Participant and award winner at the Russian National Championships
Member of the Russia Junior National Team

Personal

Daughter of Natalia
Has one sibling, Elizaveta
An open water swimmer

I love how she trains. She trains mid-distance and distance freestyle, although she’s primarily a breaststroker. She’s a workhorse and will look to immediately improve our breaststroke unit. She could also swim the mile for us.

Head coach Jon Maccoll

This is a great academic opportunity. Rutgers is listed in the Top 25 in the world in business schools, and business is my biggest interest. I'm excited for the challenge of swimming at the Big Ten level.

Aleksandra Ignatova

Prior to Rutgers

A three-time high school All-American swimming out of Northville High School in Michigan
Earned four All-State honors at Northville swimming freestyle and backstroke

Personal

Daughter of Kate and Kevin
Has one sibling, Kyle
Member of the National Honors Society
Born in New Jersey in 2000, moved away in 2004
Proudest sports moment is committing to swim at Rutgers

Katelyn is a smart, solid kid with a great background in swimming. She will fit right into this culture as a great teammate with a high GPA. She’s a great person with enough talent to make an impact on a Big Ten team.

Head coach Jon Maccoll

I chose Rutgers based off its uniqueness. The campus is one-of-a-kind and the people here are very welcoming. My extended family lives nearby, so I am excited to spend more time with them these next few years.

Katelyn McCullough

Prior to Rutgers

Participated in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio for the Virgin Islands National Swimming Team
Youngest Olympian in Virgin Islands history
Participant at the FINA World Cup

Personal

Daughter of Tracy Bradshaw
Has one sibling, Amarah
A citizen of England, hometown is Bishop's Stortford in Hertfordshire
Proudest sports moment is realizing she has inspired a younger generation of minority swimmers
Greatest sports influence is Serena Williams

She’s an Olympian, and she lives up to that title. She’s here to perform, improve our relays and break records, and return to the Olympics representing the Scarlet Knights.

Head coach Jon Maccoll

Rutgers has the perfect balance and support to enable me to continue excelling in sports and academics. When I visited the campus, it felt welcoming and calm, and the excellent academics at the university are a major pull factor for me. New Brunswick also reminds me of my hometown in the United Kingdom.

Elinah Phillip

Prior to Rutgers

All-Conference and All-Red Division freestyle specialist swimming out of East Brunswick High School
Member of Scarlet Aquatics, a club swimming home meets at Rutgers Aquatic Center
Qualified for the junior national championships with Scarlet Aquatics

Personal

Daughter of Viviana and Jimmy
Has one sibling, Sebastian
Honor Roll student at East Brunswick HS
Plans on a career in sports/entertainment law
Hobbies include baking
Greatest sports influences are her parents, Viviana and Jimmy

It's wonderful to have Daniela representing the local swimmers at The State University of New Jersey. She is genuinely proud to be a Scarlet Knights, and swims for the Scarlet Aquatics program. She grew up a Rutgers fans and has strong family ties to the University.

Head coach Jon Maccoll

The swimming and diving team and the educational system are the two major factors that influenced my decision to choose Rutgers. The camaraderie of the team and the academic reputation Rutgers upholds will give me the opportunity to engage in higher education and prepare me for the real world.

Daniela Vega

Prior to Rutgers

A distance freestyle specialst and member of the Israel National Swimming Team
National long course age group silver medalist
Led Woodbridge High School (Irvine, Calif.) to the 2017 Pacific Coast League championships and 2018 runner-up

Personal

Daughter of Ayelet and Hillel
Has two siblings, Yoav and Noa
Recipient of the Sentinel Award for academic excellence in 2017 and 2018
Member of Rutgers Hillel
Greatest sports influence is Ashley Twichell

Yael took on a leadership role within our distance crew on her very first day on campus. She’s been training non-stop to make a Big Ten team and that will translate into her dropping some time once competition starts.

Head coach Jon Maccoll