Natalie Giraldi
On September 28th, 1995 Natalie Giraldi was born to parents Anna and Paul in Manchester, NH. Natalie was raised in Bedford, NH with her two brothers. As a young girl, Natalie followed in her older brother’s footsteps and joined the Bedford Barracuda Swim Team at the age of eight, and continued to swim on this summer league team throughout her entire childhood. A gifted swimmer, Natalie joined the club team Executive in 2004, and swam under coach Brian Crawford for nine years. In addition, when she reached high school, Natalie joined the Bedford High School swim team, and received a varsity letter all four years. After graduating, Natalie enrolled at Simmons College where she now swims for coach Mindy Williams. Natalie has made a great impression during her first year as a Simmons Shark. She specializes in breaststroke, in addition to sprint freestyle. She is best known among her teammates for her fascination with jellyfish, her warm-up routine, and her ability to give a unique “fun fact” during team goal meetings.
Club
Throughout her club and high school swimming career, Natalie had many achievements. She was an Age Group qualifier and then advanced to qualify for New England Opens. In her junior and senior years of high school she qualified and competed at both Seniors and Sectionals. In addition, she received the USA Swimming Scholastic and All American award, and was Bedford High School’s highest scorer her junior and senior years. She helped lead her high school team to be State Champions with her wins in the 100 Breaststroke in 2013 and 2014.
College-Simmons College
2014-2015
Natalie has had a tremendous first season as a Simmons Shark. She had a life-time best in her 50 freestyle at the 2014 GNAC Championships, in addition to winning both the 50 breaststroke and 100 breaststroke. She was on the winning 400 Medley Relay and 200 Medley Relay at the conference championships as well. She has been recognized as the GNAC Rookie of the Week multiple times throughout the season, and was named ECAC Rookie of the Week with teammate Michaela Morris. Natalie has qualified and will compete at the 2015 NEISDA Championships at URI. Furthermore, Natalie has qualified and will represent Simmons College for the first time at the ECAC Championships in Pittsburgh, PA in March 2015.
Personal
Natalie is undecided, but plans to enroll in the Physical Therapy Program at Simmons. She hopes to one day work for the Olympic Committee.
