Women's Swim & Dive Adds Eight Newcomers

LEWISBURG, Pa. – Head coach Dan Schinnerer announced Wednesday that eight incoming first years are set to join the Bucknell women's swimming & diving team.

"We're very excited to welcome this class to our program," Schinnerer said. "Our team has been on an upward trajectory over the past few seasons, and we believe these newcomers will help it continue its rise. They will contribute right away by increasing our depth and making a frontline impact."

The incoming first years hail from five different states: Connecticut (2), New York (2), Pennsylvania (2), Maine and New Jersey. Every stroke group is represented in the class, which also includes two divers.

Bucknell enjoyed a historically successful 2019-20 campaign, placing second at the Patriot League Championships with 533 points. The Bison, who finished as the Patriot League runners-up for the 12th time in program history and the first time since 2015, were bolstered by eight-medal winning performances, including a golden showing by Maggie Wyngowski in the 400 IM.

Bucknell wrapped up its dual meet schedule with a sterling 10-1 (7-1 PL) record. With their rivalry win over Lehigh, the Bison reached the double digits in victories during a single season for the sixth time in program history. Over the past two campaigns, they have posted an exceptional combined dual meet record of 18-2 (13-2 PL).

The Bison will return five All-Patriot League honorees in 2020-21, including three-time first team honoree Wyngowski and two-time first team selection Maddie Hartigan. They will need to replace six seniors, including Emma Hadley, a three-time All-Patriot League pick who won an ECAC title in the 100 backstroke.

Reggie Frias
Diving, Riverside, Conn., Greenwich

Before Bucknell: Dove for Greenwich High School … CIAC Open state champion … two-time all-state honoree … FCIAC champion … LL Conference runner-up … helped the Cardinals win three CIAC Open state titles, three LL Conference crowns and two FCIAC championships … graduated with a school record in 11-dive score (504.25) … served as team captain … also dove for Marlins Diving Club.

Personal: Regina Guadalupe Frias … born April 5, 2002 in New York City … daughter of Jose Luis and Guadalupe Frias … has two older sisters: Mariana and Cristina … Cristina swam at Columbia University … enjoys cliff jumping, making ceramics and painting.

Kate Gottwald
Diving, Schnecksville, Pa., Parkland

Before Bucknell: Dove for Parkland High School … twice placed third and twice took fourth at the district diving meet … helped the Trojans win three district and three EPC titles … Parkland was selected as the Morning Call's 2020 and 2018 Team of the Year … graduated with school record in six-dive score (268.65) … best 11-dive score was 445.10 … also dove for Parkland Dive Club … placed 12th on the 3-meter board at the 2018 AAU Nationals … took third in the 1-meter synchro dive at the 2019 AAU Nationals.

Personal: Katharine Marie Gottwald … born August 25, 2002 in DeKalb, Illinois … daughter of James and Susan Gottwald … has two older siblings: Jacob and Louise … Jacob played soccer at Lehigh University … Louise is a member of the Steven's Institute of Technology soccer team's class of 2023.

Esme Hunter
Freestyle/Backstroke/Breaststroke/IM, Westport, Conn., Staples

Before Bucknell: Swam for Staples High School … 2020 CIAC Class LL state champion in the 100 backstroke … 2017 CIAC Class LL state champion in the 100 freestyle … four-time all-state selection … two-time All-America candidate … helped the Wreckers twice take third at the CIAC Class LL State Championships, twice place third at the LL Conference Championships and twice finish third at the FCIAC Championships … won three FCIAC titles in the 100 backstroke and one FCIAC crown in the 100 freestyle … twice won LL Conference titles in the 100 backstroke … graduated with individual school records in the 100 freestyle and 100 backstroke … swam on school record setting 200 freestyle and 200 medley relay teams … served as team captain as a senior … also swam for Westport Weston Water Rats, setting program records in the 100 backstroke, 100 breaststroke and 200 IM.

Personal: Esme Claire Hunter … born May 10, 2002 in Stamford, Connecticut … daughter of Sydney Hunter … has two older siblings: Ethan and Dash … Ethan swam for Trinity College … Dash is a member of the Connecticut College swimming & diving team's class of 2022.

Grace Kujawski
Breaststroke, Rye, N.Y., Rye Neck

Before Bucknell: Swam for Rye Neck High School … competed on varsity team for five years … five-time all-league honoree … all-section selection … member of fifth-place 200 medley relay team, which clocked a school record time of 1:48.32, at the 2019 NYSPHSAA State Championships … member of fourth-place 200 medley relay team at the 2019 NYSPHSAA Section 1 Championships … helped the Panthers win a Division II conference title and post an 8-1 record in 2019 … also swam for Empire Swimming.

Personal: Grace Ella Kujawski … born July 17, 2002 in New York City … daughter of Glen and Nicole Kujawski … has a younger sister: Dylan.

Kayla Lichtner
Freestyle/Butterfly, Southampton, Pa., Nazareth Academy

Before Bucknell: Swam for Nazareth Academy High School … all-state selection … district champion … helped the Pandas finish second at the 2020 district championships … graduated with individual school records in the 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle and 200 freestyle … swam on school record setting 200 medley relay team … served as team captain … also swam for Lower Moreland Swimming & Diving … set program records in the 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle, 200 freestyle and 50 butterfly … captained team … TYR Pro Series qualifier.

Personal: Kayla Ellen Lichtner … born January 18, 2002 in Meadowbrook, Pennsylvania … daughter of John and Elaine Lichtner … has two siblings: Kristen and Patrick.

Caroline Mahoney
Sprint Freestyle/Backstroke, Cape Elizabeth, Maine, Cape Elizabeth

Before Bucknell: Swam for Cape Elizabeth High School, helping team win three-straight MPA Class B state championships (2019, 2018 & 2017) … captured five individual MPA Class B state titles, taking first in 50 freestyle (2020 & 2019), 100 freestyle (2020), 200 freestyle (2018) and 100 backstroke (2019) … four-time all-state honoree … 2020 North Southwestern Maine Swimmer of the Year … member of Cape 200 medley, 200 freestyle and 400 freestyle relay teams that set state records … all-conference selection in the 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle, 100 backstroke, 200 medley relay and 400 freestyle relay … graduated with a school and pool record in the 100 backstroke (55.12) … served as team captain … also swam for Coastal Maine Aquatics, setting a program record in the 200 backstroke (1:59.99).

Personal: Caroline Eldridge Mahoney … born January 5, 2002 in Portland, Maine … daughter of Mike and Andie Mahoney … has four younger sisters: Maddie, Brooke, Hadley and Mary … mother ran cross country for the University of New Hampshire … cousin Michela North played basketball at Tufts University … second uncle Jean-Yves Roy played hockey at the University of Maine … Roy went on to play in the NHL, with majority of action coming with the Boston Bruins.

Caroline McGann
Freestyle, Middletown, N.J., Middletown South

Before Bucknell: Swam for Middletown High School South, helping team win four district championships, three Monmouth County titles and the 2018 Shore Conference crown … All-Shore Second Team … graduated with a school record in the 200 freestyle (1:53.69) … swam on school record setting 200 medley relay team (1:49.36) … named team's 2020 MVP … selected as team's 2019 Complete Athlete award winner … served as team captain as a senior … also swam for Red Bank YMCA and Greater Monmouth YMCA … member of YMCA national team from 2016 to 2020 … helped team win two YMCA Long Course National Championships (2019 & 2018) … member of 2019 YMCA Long Course national title winning 400 freestyle relay team … set program records in the 100 freestyle (13-14), 200 freestyle relay (13-14), 400 freestyle relay (13-14) and 800 freestyle relay (15-18).

Personal: Caroline Lillian McGann … born February 21, 2002 in Red Bank, New Jersey … daughter of Keith and Stacy McGann … has three brothers: Alex, Nick and Chase … Alex played golf at Methodist University … Nick played baseball at Muhlenberg College.

Stephanie Walsh
Freestyle/Breaststroke/IM, North Bellmore, N.Y., W.C. Mepham

Before Bucknell: Swam for Wellington C. Mepham High School … finalist at the 2019 and 2018 NYSPHSAA State Championships … four-time all-county selection … 2019 All-Long Island pick … 2019 district scholar-athlete … helped the Pirates win three division titles … Mepham put together an undefeated regular season and won a conference championship in 2019 … graduated with individual school records in the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle … swam on school record setting 200 medley relay team … earned team's Coaches' Award in 2018 and 2016 … served as team captain … also swam for the Long Island Express … three-year member of its national team … three-year NCSA Junior National Championships qualifier.

Personal: Stephanie Marie Walsh … born August 5, 2002 in Manhasset, New York … daughter of John and Deborah Walsh … has an older sister, Elizabeth, who is a member of the Loyola University (Md.) swimming & diving team's class of 2022 … CrossFit enthusiast … certified lifeguard and water safety instructor.

Bucknell University Athletics

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