Courtesy: Rollins Athletics
WINTER PARK, Fla. – Rollins men’s and women’s swimming head coach Kyle Berg is set to welcome 19 newcomers to the team when students report back to Winter Park in August.
“We are very excited to have this big, and very talented, class coming onto campus in a few weeks,” said Berg. “This group represents the future of Rollins swimming as we continue to build the program and send more Tars to Nationals each year.”
The Tars are coming off another record breaking season both in the pool and in the classroom. The men broke 10 school records and for the first time ever, sent two swimmers to the NCAA National Championship in the same season. Sophomore Alex Norcini qualified in four events and freshman Christian Huber participated in three. On the women’s side, nine school records were broken and a pair of freshmen qualified for the NCAA National Championship. Beatriz Olivieri swam three events and won the 200-yard butterfly B-final, finishing with the fifth fastest time at nationals. Sydney Willis qualified in four events.
All four swimmers at Nationals were named to the CSCAA Scholar All-America team and senior Makenzie Grider was named Scholar Honorable Mention. Both men’s and women’s programs were honored by the CSCAA as Scholar All-America Teams.
2019 Rollins Swimming Incoming Class
Shaun Besch (San Antonio, Texas/Smithson Valley High School)
Best Times:
– 100 breast: 59.85
– 50 free: 21.73
– 200 free: 1:47.77
Fun Fact – “I write my own music.”
Luke Bunnell (Louisville, Ky./Trinity High School)
Best Times:
– 50 free 21.31
– 100 free 47.21
– 200 free 1:46.95
Fun Fact – “I can solve 12 different types of Rubik’s Cubes.”
Cameron Dolly (Fort Myers, Fla./Fort Myers HS)
Best Times:
– 100 free : 47.50
– 100 back : 54.21
– 50 free 22.10
Fun Fact – “I moved to Florida from Pennsylvania in fifth grade (2011).”
Daniel Liew (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia/British School of Kuala Lumpur)
Best Times:
– 1500m free: 16:50
– 200m butterfly: 2:09
– 400m free: 4:14
Fun Fact – “My feet are kind of flat.”
Benjamin Mann (Holly Springs, N.C./Apex Friendship High School)
Best Times:
– 200 back 1:56.96
– 100 back 53.94
– 50 back 22.36
Fun Fact – “I can solve a Rubik’s Cube in 33 seconds.”
Brandon Nord (North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada/John Paul II Collegiate)
Best Times:
– 100 fly 59.10 (Long course)
– 50 fly 27.03 (Long Course)
– 100 breast 1:11.01 (Long Course)
Fun Fact – “I competed in the 2017 Canada Summer Games as part of Team Saskatchewan.”
Andrew Relihan (Jacksonville, Fla./Ponte Vedra Highs School)
Best Times:
– 200 free 1:42.79
– 100 free 47.27
– 50 free 22.14
Fun Fact – “I’ve managed to never swim the 1650 or 400 IM.”
Cruse Whitcomb (Cudjoe Key, Fla./Key West High School)
Best Times:
– 50 free 21.42
– 100 free 48.99
– 100 free 53.73
Fun Fact – “I like cars, especially Japanese ones.”
Connor Xu (Melbourne, Australia/Camberwell Grammar School)
Best Times:
– 200 breast 2:17.47
– 200 IM 2:05.13
– 400 IM 4:28.04
Fun Fact – “I am a solitaire enthusiast.”
Ashlynn Amon (Weston, Fla./Cypress Bay High School)
Best Times:
– 1650 free 18:14.42
– 500 free 5:14.39
– 200 free 2:00.10
Fun Fact – “I have lived in seven different states, including Alaska.”
Abbey Autry (Memphis, Tenn./St. Mary’s Episcopal School)
Best Times:
– 100 back 59.05
– 100 fly 58.99
– 50 free 25.39
Fun Fact – “I was born on Friday the 13th.”
Kelsey Fowler (Seaford, Del./Sussex Technical School)
Best Times:
– 100 back 1:02.83
– 200 back 2:16.12
– 200 IM 2:23.21
Fun Fact – “I’m on a beach patrol.”
Abby Frey (Virginia Beach, Va./Frank W. Cox High School)
Best Times:
– 500 free 5:07. 34
– 1650 free 17:52. 97
– 100 fly 59. 71
Fun Fact – “I enjoy art, specifically doing projects involving lettering in unique fonts.”
Emily Hennessy (Aurora, Illinois/Waubonsie Valley High School)
Best Times:
– 100 fly 58.15
– 50 free 24.87
– 200 IM 2:12.14
Fun Fact – “In the summer, I lifeguard and coach for my neighborhood swim team.”
Jillian Hughes (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/George Washington School)
Best Times:
– 500 free 5:10.03
– 400 IM 4:38.43
– 1650 free 17:44.32
Fun Fact – “All my sibling’s and pet’s names start with the letter ‘J’.”
Maia Russell (Gurnee, Illinois/Warren Township High School)
Best Times:
– 200 IM 2:10.13
– 100 breast 1:07.96
– 200 breast 2:29.82
Fun Fact – “I used to be a competitive dancer.”
Grace Seiter (Skillman, N.J./Montgomery High School)
Best Times:
– 200 back 2:10.1
– 200 IM 2:12.89
– 400 IM 4:42 or 1000 free 10:47
Fun Fact – “I like to write.”
Erika Wesch (Jupiter, Fla./Jupiter Community High School)
Best Times:
– 200 free 1:54.61
– 500 free 5:05.35
– 100 free 53.42
Fun Fact – “I work at my town’s local lighthouse and give weekly historical tours. (I also have a size 11 shoe)”
Hannah Wiedemann (Bonn, Germany/Bonn International School)
Best Time:
– 100 fly 1:03.55
– 100 breast 1:14.94
– 200 breast 2:39.72
Fun Fact – “I’m from all over Europe.”
The Tars will start the 2019-20 season on September 28, hosting the annual Intersquad and Alumni meet. The regular season gets underway the following week with Rollins welcoming Sunshine State Conference rival Nova Southeastern to the Alfond Pool on Friday, October 4.
