Meet the 2024-25 Swimming Newcomers
Oct 07 | Women's Swimming & Diving
Allie Allen
Sprint/Free
Livonia, Michigan / Livonia Stevenson
IN THE POOL:
- Led off the 200 free relay for an eighth-place finish and finished 13 th in the 50 free and 17 th in
the 100 free at the Michigan High School D1 State Championships as a senior - Anchored the 200 medley relay to a runner-up finish along with a fifth-place time in the 100
free and leading off the 200 free relay her junior year at the state championships. - Took fifth in the 100 free, captured a PR leading off the 200 free and anchored the 200
medley relay with the fastest leg in the field
PERSONAL:
- Daughter of Keven and Angela
- Has one brother, Evan
- Honor Roll Student
Allen On Choosing Rutgers: “I chose Rutgers because of the team culture and the high-quality coaching staff. I also liked the academic side offered here.”
Ella Arbeiter
Middle Distance/Free
St. Louis, Mo./Lutheran South
IN THE WATER:
- Holds seven of Lutheran South’s 12 school records
- 500 free state champion as a senior
- Four-time all-state honoree
- Three-time first team all-conference
PERSONAL:
- Daughter of Dane and Emily
- Has one sister, Madeleine
- Plans to major in business
- Honor Roll student
- Plans to major in business
Arbeiter On Choosing Rutgers: “I wanted to go to big school with deep roots and near a big city that still felt like a college campus. I wanted a school with an excellent business
program and I wanted to be on a team that felt like family.”
Katerina Hoffman
Dive
Whitehouse Station, N.J./K12 Private Academy
IN THE POOL:
- Finished fourth at 2024 USA Olympic Trials on women's synchronized platform
- Placed 11th on platform finals at the 2024 USA Olympic Trials
- 2024 USA Diving Junior Region 1 Champion on 3M
- Runner-up on both Group A 1M and Group A/B 3M synchronized 3M at 2024 USA
Diving Junior National Championship - Claimed third on 1M at 2024 USA Diving Junior National Championship
- Runner-up on both 1M and 3M at 2024 USA Diving Zone A Championship
- Placed eighth at 2023 USA Diving Winter Nationals on women's synchronized 3M
- 2019 Junior National Champion on 3M and platform
- New Jersey State Champion
- High School All-American
- Lincoln Southeast Pool/School Record Holder
- Runner-up on 1M at 2023 USA Diving Junior National Championship
- Won 1M, runner-up on 3M and third place on platform at 2023 USA Diving Zone A
Championship - Champion on 1M at 2023 USA Diving Junior Region 2 Championship
- Finalist on 1M at 2022 USA Diving Winter Nationals
- Finalist on 3M and women's synchronized 3M at 2022 USA Diving Open
Championship - Finished third on 1M and platform and fourth on 3M at 2022 USA Diving Junior
National Championships - Runner-up on 1M at 2022 USA Diving Zone A Championships
- Finalist on women's synchronized 3M at 2021 USA Diving Winter Nationals
- A 1M finalist at 2021 USA Diving Junior National Championships
- Won 1M title and 3M and platform finalist at 2021 USA Diving Zone E Championships
- Finalist on 1M and 3M at 2021 USA Diving Junior Region 9 Championships
- Champion on 1M, 3M and platform at 2019 USA Diving Zone D Championship
- Captured 3M and platform crown at 2019 USA Diving Junior National Championships
- Won 1M and 3M at 2018 USA Diving Junior Region 8 Championship
PERSONAL:
- Daughter of Kristopher Hoffman and Rutgers head diving coach and two-time
Olympian Natasha Chikina - Has one sister – Sophia
- Honor Roll member
- Plans to major in finance
Hoffman On Choosing Rutgers: "I chose Rutgers because of the positive community this school has that will help me reach my full potential in and out of the pool deck and
classroom. Rutgers is highly internationally ranked and provides a diverse, competitive community that I'll enjoy. The school has an amazing dive team, coaching staff and academics."
Ava Jurkiewicz
Breast
Northville, Mich./Northville
IN THE WATER:
- Team Captain
- Winter Juniors qualifier
- Runner-up at the Michigan Ultra Championship
- Placed sixth in the 100 breast and 8 th in the 200 IM at the Michigan High School State
Championships
PERSONAL:
- Daughter of Andre and Erica
- Has one sister Lila
- Plans to major in exercise science
Jurkiewicz On Choosing Rutgers: “I am so excited to continue my academic and athletic career at Rutgers University. A huge thank you to all of my coaches, teammates, family, and the Rutgers coaches for all of the support throughout this process. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity.”
Cameron Kuriger
Fly
Columbus, Ohio/Olentangy/FGCU
Sophomore (2023-24) – at FGCU:
- All-ASUN in 100 fly
- Third in 100 fly at ASUN Championships
- Seventh-fastest 50 fly in FGCU program history
- Runner-up in 100 fly (57.29) against FAU and Bellarmine
- Won 200 fly against Bellarmine
- Fourth in 200 fly at the Magnus Invitational
- Won 200 fly against UNF
- Won 100 fly against FIU
Freshman (2022-23) – at FGCU:
- Two-time medalist at the CSSA Championships, winning gold in 200 fly and silver in the
100 fly - Fifth-fastest time in 200 fly at the Gamecock Invitational
- Ninth-fastest time in school history in the 100 fly Gamecock Invitational
- Won 100 and 200 fly at Bellarmine in 57.67
- Fifth with 400 medley relay team at the Gamecock Invitational
- Seventh with 800 relay team at the Gamecock Invitational
- Runner-up in 200 medley relay team against UNC Asheville
- Won the 100 fly against UNC Asheville
- Won 100 and 200 fly and 200 medley relay team against Eastern Michigan
- Sixth with 200 medley relay team and eighth in 200 fly at Miami Tri-Meet
- Won 100 fly, runner-up in 200 fly and third with 200 medley relay team against FIU
- Won with 200 and 400 medley relay and 200 free relay and runner-up in 200 free against
UNF - Placed 17 th at the CCSA Championship in the 200 IM with a time of 2:04.39
- Third place with 200 medley relay team at the CCSA
- Runner-up in 100 fly with ninth-fastest time in FGCU history at the CCSA Championship
- Won the 200 fly with fourth-fastest time in FGCU history at the CCSA Championship
Prior to FGCU - Won the 2021 state championship in the 100 fly
- Member of the Buckeye Swim Club
PERSONAL:
- Daughter of Cheryl and Walter Kuriger.
- Has three brothers, Winston, Benjamin, and Preston.
- Mom was a four-time All-American and National Champion in synchronized
swimming at Ohio State - Brothers Winston and Ben swam at Ohio State
Kuriger On Choosing Rutgers: “I chose Rutgers because it offered me an opportunity to compete and pursue my academics at a higher level. The coaches, staff, and team are invested in your success and well-being and clearly push everyone to be their best and I wouldn't want anything other than that.”
Marissa Losonczy
Sprint/Free
Bayonne, N.J./High Tech
IN THE WATER:
- Competed at Speedo Sectionals
- Holds High Tech High School records for 50, 100, 200 and 500 free, 100 back and 200 IM
- IMMVP Award as a sophomore, junior and senior
- Member of Scarlet Aquatics
PERSONAL:
- Daughter of David and Alicia
- Has one brother Adam, and one sister, Danielle
- Member of the National Honor Society
- Graduated with honors
- Plans to major in finance
Losonczy On Choosing Rutgers: “It is such a unique environment here at Rutgers in the best way possible. Not only will I be able to succeed here academically, but with the best team
dynamic and amazing coaches I am confident in my abilities to thrive in swimming.
Holland Spangler
Breast
Swedesboro, N.J./Kingsway Regional
IN THE POOL:
- Hold Kingsway Regional school records with the 200 medley and 200 free relay
teams - Second Team All-South Jersey – 200 medley relay
- First Team Tri-County – 100 breast, 200 medley relay, 200 IM, 200 free relay
- Second Team Tri-County – 100 fly
PERSONAL:
- Daughter of Harold and Marsha
- Father Harold swam for Lebanon Valley College and was the Middle Atlantic
Conference Outstanding Swimmer of the Year as a senior. He was inducted into
LVC’s Athletic Hall of Fame and still holds five individual event records - Has one sister, Peyton
- Member of the Honor Roll, Key Club and World Wildlife Fund
- Undecided on a major with interest in business
Spangler On Choosing Rutgers: “I chose Rutgers because of the countless academic opportunities offered and the great location. I also chose it due to the welcoming atmosphere of the team and the exceptional training offered by the coaches.”
Bailee Sturgill
Diving
Noblesville, Ind./Calvert Academy
IN THE WATER:
- US National Team Member
- High School All-American
- Competed at 2022 FINA Diving Grand Prix
- Was runner-up at 2024 USA Olympic Trials on women’s synchronized platform
- Took fourth at 2024 USA Olympic Trails on women’s synchronized 3M
- Claimed fifth on women’s synchronized 3M at 2023 USA Diving Winter Nationals
- Placed fifth on 3M and platform finalist at 2023 USA Diving Junior National Championships
- Finished fifth on women's synchronized 3M and platform finalist at 2023 USA Diving
National Championships - Took fourth on women's synchronized 3M at 2022 USA Diving Winter Nationals
- Runner-up on women's synchronized 3M at 2022 USA Diving Open Championships
- A 1M and platform finalist at 2022 USA Diving Junior National Championships
- Represented Team USA on 2021 Junior Diving World Championships roster
- Placed third in women's synchronized 3M at 2021 USA Diving Winter Nationals
- A 3M and platform finalist at 2021 USA diving Junior National Championships
- Finalist on 1M, 3M and platform at 2021 USA Diving Zone C Championships
- Champion on 1M and 3M at 2021 Junior Region 6 Championship
- Finalist on 1M, 3M, platform and girls 3M synchronized at 2018 USA Diving Junior National
Championships - Champion on 3M and runner-up on 3M and platform at 2018 USA Diving Zone C
Championships - Finalist on 1M, 3M and platform at 2018 Junior National Championships
PERSONAL:
- Daughter of Andrew and Stephanie Sturgill
- Has three sisters - Anabell, Choley and Delila
- Plans to major in criminal justics
- Honor Roll member
Sturgill On Choosing Rutgers: "I loved the team dynamic and the coaches. I also loved the campus and what they had to offer."
Isabella Valle
Distance
Williamstown, N.J./Our Lady of Mercy Academy
IN THE POOL:
- NISCA All-American
- SJISA First Team All-South Jersey – 200 free in 2024
- SJISA First Team All-South Jersey – 500 free in 2023
- Winter Juniors qualifier
- Team state champion in 2023
- Named Cape-Atlantic League Most Outstanding Swimmer with titles in the 200 and 500 free
in leading the Villagers to the 2023 team title
PERSONAL:
- Daughter of Edgar and Yaneida
- Has one brother, Edgar
- Plans to major in biology
Valle On Choosing Rutgers: “I chose Rutgers because it felt right from the moment I stepped on the campus. Getting to meet the team and talk with the coaches made me feel comfortable
and at home.”
Madilyn Varnum
Diving
Davidson, N.C/Lake Norman Charter
IN THE POOL:
- Three-time USA Diving Junior National Qualifier
- USA Diving Junior National semifinalist
- NISCA All-American
- USA Today High School Sports Awards National Team
- Three-time NCHSAA 3A State Champion
- Lake Norman Charter Women’s Swim & Dive MVP
- Three-time first team all-state
PERSONAL:
- Daughter of Craig and Jennifer
- Has one brother, Macron
- Member of the Science National Honor Society and National English Honor Society
- AP Scholar Award winner
- Volunteer with the Davidson Community Gard and juvenile Diabetes Research
Foundation - Plans to major in finance
Varnum On Choosing Rutgers: “I chose Rutgers for the incredible balance of the strength of both its academic and athletic programs and for the team culture. In choosing Rutgers, I know that I will be pushed to achieve my maximum potential as a diver and as a student while being surrounded by a group of truly kind, dedicated and high motivated teammates and coaches.”
