Courtesy: Rutgers Athletics
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers swimming and diving has announced its captains for the upcoming 2024-25 season – Katherine Lang, Shannon Meadway, Martyna Piesko, Holly Prasanto and Grace Weaver.
“Choosing our team captains is not just about recognizing exceptional athletes, but about celebrating leaders who inspire, unify, and drive the team towards greatness both in and out of the pool,” said head coach Jon Maccoll. “All these women embody what it means to be a Scarlet Knight in our program. They have lived the culture and now have the responsibility of passing it on through being role models and mentors.”
KATHERINE LANG
“I am so excited and honored to be named captain because of how special this team is. This group of women is so hardworking, close-knit, and fun-loving. I can’t wait to see what we accomplish this year!”
Katherine Lang, a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar majoring in public health and business administration, enters her third season as a Scarlet Knight.
Lang helped Rutgers to victories over LIU, Villanova and Nebraska and reached finals in the 200 breast and 200 back at the Hawkeye Invitational last season. She set PRs in the 200 back at the Big Ten Championship as well as in the 100 back and 200 IM in a Big Ten dual meet finale at Nebraska.
A native of Charlotte, North Carolina, Lang came to Rutgers as a North Carolina LC Senior Championship medalist who graduated in the five percent of her class.
SHANNON MEADWAY
“The best part of being a member of Rutgers swim/dive is doing something I love in an environment where everyone is pushed to be the best they can be. Knowing I always have the support of my teammates and coaches is just one of the many aspects that makes Rutgers such as special and rewarding experience.”
Shannon Meadway, in her second season as a graduate student in labor & employment relations, was one of 18 top 24 finishes and 13 program top 10 times captured at the 2024 Big Ten Championships.
Meadway was a B finalist finishing 12th overall at last year’s Big Ten’s in the 200 back with the seventh fastest time in school history.
In May at the Canadian Olympic Trails, the Toronto native qualified for the A finals with a fifth place prelim finish in the 200 back dropping 1.92 seconds off her previous best and reached the B finals of the 200 IM taking 2.39 seconds off her former top time.
Additionally in her first season “On The Banks”, Meadway was an A finalist in the 200 back, won the B final of the 400 IM and C final of the 200 IM at the Hawkeye Invitational and helped Rutgers to victory over Villanova winning the 200 free.
“It is not only an honor, but also an opportunity to positively influence the team, motivate its members and pursue common goals. Having been named a team captain in Poland, I have already had experience with leadership and managing responsibilities of a team. Helping facilitate a great team environment and supporting its members was extremely rewarding when I saw my team grow stronger together. I remember celebrating our successes together, but also supporting each other in difficult times. As a captain, I want to inspire others to push their limits and achieve the best results.”
Martyna Piesko, a psychology and criminal justice double major, begins her third season having been a member of record-setting 400 medley relay squads and a five-time Big Ten finalist.
As a member of the 400 medley relay squad, Piesko swam on the fifth-place team for the highest relay finish at the Big Ten Championships for the Scarlet Knights since joining the league and on the squad that set new ECAC benchmark last season, while as a freshman she was a part of the team that captured a new Rutgers record.
In addition to two podium finishes with the 400 medley relay squad at the Big Ten Championships, Piesko was a C finalist in the 100 and 200 back last year and a B finalist in the 100 fly and C finalist in 100 back at the 2023 championships.
The Lublin, Poland native also holds the third fastest time in the 100 fly, eighth fastest time in the 100 back and tenth fastest time in the 200 back in school history.
“I am honored to be a member of the Rutgers swim and dive program. The most rewarding aspect has been the family I have made and the cherished memories I have created, along with watching the team’s strength develop through the contributions of each individual.”
Holly Prasanto, a psychology major and CSCAA Second Team All-American, enters her third season as a member of the Rutgers diving squad.
Last season, Prasanto advanced to the consolation final on 1M at the NCAA Championships finishing 11th overall with the seventh-highest score in Rutgers history.
A six-time NCAA Zone finalist, Prasanto reached the Big Ten 1M consolation finals on 1M and 3M this past season.
Prasanto also holds the seventh-highest score in school history on 3-meter and tenth highest score in program history on platform.
Internationally, the Sheffield, England product was a 3M finalist at the Great Britain Diving Championships in May.
GRACE WEAVER
“Being named a captain is an honor. To me, it means embodying the team values of grit, accountability, and communication. I will strive to lift my teammates up and lead by example in order to set the standard for what it means to be a Rutgers athlete.”
Grace Weaver, a biomedical engineering major and New Jersey native, begins her third season at Rutgers.
A mainstay of the distance corps, Weaver won the 1000 free against LIU along with top three finishes against Villanova and Toronto in the 500 and 1000 free last season.
Weaver arrived at Rutgers from Wayne, New Jersey as a NISCA State Top 16 and First Team All-Conference in the 200 and 500 free and runner-up for NJ Student-Athlete of the Year.