Yale Women’s Swimming and Diving Add 9 to Class of 2019

The Yale women’s swimming and diving team will welcome seven new swimmers and two new divers in the incoming Class of 2019.

The rookie Bulldogs will be joining the team under the coaching leadership of Robert J.H. Kiphuth Head Coach of Women’s Swimming and Diving, Jim Henry, assistant coach Danielle Korman, and diving coach Chris Bergere.  The 2015-2016 season will be Henry’s and Korman’s fourth season at Yale, and Bergere’s sixth season.  Rising senior Emma Smith will be the team’s captain for the 2015-2016 season.

“Chris, Dani and I are extremely excited to welcome the Class of 2019 to Yale. There is no doubt that they will make an immediate impact in the pool, on the boards, and in the Yale community,” said Henry.  “They are one of the strongest, most accomplished classes in the history of the women’s program. The Class of 2019 are motivated students filled with potential, who want to contribute to the strong tradition of swimming and diving at Yale.”

The incoming nine members of the Class of 2019 will offset the loss of three graduating seniors and increase the size and depth of the team as the Bulldogs seek to improve upon their Ivy League and NCAA performances from this past season.

Below are listed each of the incoming Bulldogs, along with their best swimming times or diving performances and the reason that they chose Yale.

Jacquelyn Du – Marshall Township, PA
North Allegheny High School/Allegheny North Swim Club
100-yard backstroke: 53.29
50-yard freestyle: 23.26
200-yard backstroke: 1:59.92

“I chose Yale because of its supreme excellence in balancing academics and athletics. I also loved the atmosphere of the residential colleges, and I felt completely at home with the team and coaches!”

Elizabeth Felix – Hilton Head Island, SC
Hilton Head Island High School/Hilton Head Aquatics
100-yard backstroke: 56.4
200-yard backstroke: 2:00.2
500-yard freestyle: 4:56.5
200-yard freestyle: 1:52.0

“The positive welcoming atmosphere of the team under the passionate leadership of Coach Jim Henry combined with the incredible academic opportunities made Yale the only choice for me; no other school compared.”

Carrie Heilbrun – Fairfax Station, VA
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology/The Fish
100-yard butterfly: 55.03
200-yard butterfly: 2:01.44
50-yard freestyle: 23.74
100-yard backstroke: 56.37

“Yale offers academic and athletic excellence within a close-knit and collaborative community of amazing students, coaches, and professors.  I am so excited to be a part of a college and swim team steeped in such rich history and tradition!”

Isabella Hindley – London, United Kingdom
St Paul’s Girls’ School/Chelsea and Westminster Swimming Club
50-meter freestyle (LC): 25.81
100-meter freestyle (LC): 56.45
100-meter backstroke (LC): 1.02.81
200-meter backstroke (LC): 2.15.89
200-meter individual medley (SC): 2.14.26

“I chose Yale because I feel it it the place where I can grow as an athlete and student at a world renowned university. I feel as though Jim Henry is building a great team that will be competing for Ivy titles and that is something I cannot wait to be a part of.”

Heidi Katter – Palo Alto, CA
Castilleja School/Palo Alto Stanford Aquatics
100-yard butterfly: 53.60
200-yard butterfly: 1:59.86
100-yard breaststroke: 1:02.13
200-yard individual medley: 2:02.51

“Yale’s combination of tradition, campus life, architecture, academics, and athletics greatly influenced my decision. After visiting with the team, I am honored to swim in a program that is simultaneously invested in the Ivy League spirit while also striving to make an impact at the national level. Boola Boola!”

Talbott Paulsen – Woodside, CA
Menlo-Atherton High School/Stanford Diving
1-meter and 3-meter diving: ten-time top-25 finisher at USA Diving JO Nationals, four-time top 10 finisher, four-time finalist CA Central Coast Section High School Championships

“I chose Yale because I love the vibe. Yale couldn’t have a better environment – brimming with energy, curiosity, creativity, camaraderie, and fun. I knew that this was where I would flourish as both a student and an athlete.”

Sophie Pilkinton – Nashville, Tennessee
Harpeth Hall School/Nashville Aquatic Club
200-yard individual medley: 2:01.42
400-yard individual medley: 4:20.05
100-yard freestyle: 50.88

“I loved Yale from the second I stepped foot on campus. Its renowned reputation, rigorous academics, and remarkable students were only the start. Once I  spent time with the girls and coaches, I knew it was the perfect place for me.”

Cassidy Richards – Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
Fredericton High School/Fredericton Aquanaut Swim Team
50-meter freestyle (LC): 26.22
100-meter freestyle (LC): 57.68
100-meter butterfly (LC): 1:03.51

“I chose Yale because for me it’s the perfect balance of high academics and high athletics. From the endless opportunities Yale offers academically, to the incredible team and Coach Henry’s enthusiasm and ideas for the future, I knew it was were I wanted to spend my next four years.”

Hannah Walsh – Clyde Hill, Washington
Bellevue High School/Pacific Northwest Diving
1-meter diving: 1st place at 2015 Regionals, 2nd place at Washington State Championships
3-meter diving: 1st place at 2015 Regionals

“I chose Yale because of its longstanding commitment to academic excellence and the strong sense of support and camaraderie of the swim and dive team. I believe this will provide a perfect opportunity for me to continue to grow as a student and an athlete.”

The above is from a press release filed by Yale Sports Publicity