The Bears of Brown University will get a big addition to their roster this fall, nabbing outgoing Florida transfer Ally Donahue, according to the team’s recruiting class press release.
You might remember Donahue being in the news last spring, when we reported that she had graduated high school a year early to start taking classes and competing at Florida.
Donahue swam for Florida for part of this past season, but USA Swimming only has records of her competing for the Gators through October. After that, she resurfaced with her old club, the Greater Tampa Swim Association, for three meets between February and April.
Donahue didn’t put up any eye-popping times in those meets, but she’s got some very impressive swims on her resume. She was one of the better breaststrokers in her recruiting class, especially in the sprint distances.
Donahue’s Top Times
- 100 breast: 1:01.97
- 200 breast: 2:21.16
- 50 free: 23.60
She’s also a solid long course breaststroker, with times of 1:12.59 and 2:39.85.
Donahue mentioned Brown’s academic prestige in a quote included in the school’s press release: “Brown is one of the best universities in the country but with the unique flexibility of an open curriculum which will give me the chance to explore many different interests at the highest level, bringing me more balance between academics and athletics,” she said. “Not only will I be challenged in the classroom, I believe that Brown will help me grow into the best version of myself.”
Donahue will join a Brown program that is reloading under new head coach Kate Kovenock, the second-year head coach who joined Brown after a stint as an assistant and Notre Dame. While with the Irish, Kovenock helped coach American record-holding breaststroker Emma Reaney, and she’ll look to help Donahue achieve a similar improvement curve.
“Coach Kovenock is unlike any coach I have ever met,” Donahue said in the press release, “and I felt very connected to her from the first time I talked to her. With her help, I know I will reach my full potential, as will the rest of the team. I believe that Brown is on the rise and I want to be a part of the new era.”