George Mason Swimming and Diving Adds Class of 12 For 2015-2016 Season

Head coach Peter Ward and the George Mason swimming & diving team welcome 12 new faces to the program for the 2015-16 season. The class is composed of eight men and four women.

“We are very excited to announce this year’s incoming class,” said coach Ward and his staff. “This group will make an immediate impact in both our program and the Atlantic 10 Conference. They include Junior National qualifiers, Scholastic All-Americans, and even former NAIA Championship finalists. This is a very deep class and they will provide excellent support to our upperclassmen in taking another step up in the Atlantic 10 conference.”

Hannah Denison

Richmond, Virginia

Home School/John Tyler Community College

Position: Sprint Freestyle/Butterfly

50 FR: 24.46

100 FR: 52.27

100 FL: 56.79

Athletic Awards/Honors:

Most Outstanding Award (2013)

Competitive Spirit Award (2013)

Breakout Swimmer of the Year (2014)

Virginia Swimming All-State (2015)

Virginia Swimming Senior Championships finalist (2014, 2015)

NCSA junior national qualifier (2014, 2015)

Academic Awards/Honors: Straight A student

Quick Facts: “I recently traveled on a mission trip to Guatemala, helping care for abandoned children. I love producing art, swimming and doing anything competitive!”

Why Mason? “The coaching staff is so supportive, and the team was very friendly on my recruiting trip.”

Christina McLemore

Chesapeake, Virginia

Grassfield High School

Position: Butterfly/ IM

100 FL: 57.37

200 FL: 2:05.85

400 IM: 4:34.81

Athletic Awards/Honors:

Grizzly Award

Bill Peak Memorial Scholarship

Regional and District Champion

Academic Awards/Honors:

National Honor Society

Rho Kappa (History Honor Society)

National English Honor Society

Academic Excellence Award

Scholar Athlete

Quick Facts: “Volunteered at 8-Under Swim meets and taught swim lessons to 12-unders on ODAC”

Why Mason? “I chose Mason for the location in D.C., the push for the students to get involved in internships, and the amazing athletic facilities. All these components will allow myself to become a better athlete and student.”

Marla Albanese

Eden Prairie, Minnesota

Eden Prairie High School

Position: Sprint Freestyle/Butterfly

50 FR: 24.05

100 FR: 53.05

200 FR: 1:56.14

100 FL: 57.88

Athletic Awards/Honors:

All-State

Honorable Mention All-Conference

All-American

State Champion

School Record Holder

2014 MVP

High Point 2013-2014

Coaches Award 2014-2015

Academic Awards/Honors:

Outstanding GPA

AP Scholar with Honors

Community Service: “Volunteered at least 25 hours a year for the past four years through Key Club doing projects like the following: Feed My Starving Children, Second Hand Hounds, Salvation Army bell ringing, City Clean-ups, Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF, and many others.”

Why Mason? “As soon as I came to the campus, I feel in love with the school. The great coaching staff and close team was just what I was looking for. I feel Mason will provide me with the perfect balance between academics and athletics. I can’t wait to be a Patriot this fall!”

Melanie Howard-Hutton

Springfield, Virginia

West Springfield High School

Position: Diving

Academic Awards/Honors: Toshiba ExploraVision Honorable Mention

Quick Facts: “I have been a lifeguard for 4 years, I love being in and near water, I own over 250 books (I love reading), I want to be a neonatal nurse in the future.”

Why Mason? “Mason has a good nursing program, a beautiful large campus, and I know the area well as it is 20 minutes (the way I drive) from my home.”

Ryan John Frayne

Virginia Beach, Virginia

SHAPE American HS, Belgium/ FW Cox HS, Virginia Beach/ St. Andrews University, NC

Position: Breaststroke/IM

100 BR: 57.05

200 BR: 2:03.92

200 IM: 1:55.25

400 IM: 4:05.42

Athletic Awards/Honors:

U16 Welsh Summer Nationals 200M LC Breaststroke Meet Record Holder

2012 VA State Champions Swimming – FW Cox HS

2013 Captain FW Cox HS Swimming

2013 and 2014 Scholastic All-American

2012/2013/2014 US Junior Nationals Qualifier

2014 NAIA Champion of Character

2015 St Andrews University Knight Award

2014 NAIA National Championships Finalist 200 and 400IM, 200Breast

2015 NAIA National Championships Finalist 100 and 200Breast

2015 NAIA All-American

Academic Awards/Honors:

St Andrews University Deans List 2014 and 2015

Quick Facts: “Lifeguard at Virginia Beach Oceanfront, Lived in Wales, England, Cyprus, Germany and Belgium.”

Why Mason? “Fantastic facilities, great vibe, well respected coaching.”

Niles Biolley

Ventura, California

El Camino/Ventura High

Position: Backstroke/IM

100 BK: 50.32

200 BK: 1:50.47

200 IM: 1:51.78

400 IM: 4:03.72

200 FR: 1:40.99

Athletic Awards/Honors:

2015 Men’s MVP

2012/2015 Jim McConica Athletic Leadership Award

Ventura High School Record Holder 200 IM and 100 Backstroke

Meet Record Holder 2014/2015 Channel League Championships

Ventura County Champion and Record Holder 100 Backstroke (2014/2015) and 200 IM (2015)

CIF Southern Section Division 1 finalist 2014/2015 in 100 Backstroke and 200IM

1st Team All County 200IM (2014/2015)

Academic Awards/Honors:

Academic All-American 2014/2015

David Graham Memorial Student Athlete Scholarship

Quick Facts: “I have always lived on a boat.”

Why Mason? “The team instantly made me feel like part of their family. I have something to offer and I have room to grow.”

Leo Rivoal

New York City, New York

Lycee Francais de New York

Position: Backstroke

100 BK: 52.58

200 BK: 1:52.49

100 FL: 53.11

Athletic Awards/Honors: NCSA Junior National Qualifier 100/200 Backstroke

Quick Facts: “Taught kids how to speak French over the summer for an immersion program. Love to eat, and love to play video games.”

Why Mason? “I chose Mason simply because it was perfect for me. From the moment I stepped on campus I felt nothing but generosity from the staff and athletes. The campus and pool were both beautiful, and I’ve heard nothing but praise for the classes I was interested in. After coming home I know that Mason was the school for me.”

Hagen Wolfe Dietrich

Boone, North Carolina

The Bolles School

Position: Sprint Freestyle

50 FR: 21.94

100 FR: 45.84

200 FR: 1:41.18

Athletic Awards/Honors: Member of 2012 and 2013 National Championship Team with The Bolles School

Quick Facts: “I love hanging with friends and playing basketball.”

Why Mason? “I chose Mason because of how the whole team is bonded as one family. Everyone gets along as one and my decision could not have been any easier.”

Leonis John Lau

Singapore

The Bolles School

Position: Middle Distance Freestyle/Breaststroke/IM

500 FR: 4:39.76

1650: 16:11.08

100 BR: 57.96

200 BR: 2:05.14

200 IM: 1:55.47

Athletic Awards/Honors: Qualified for Junior Nationals in the 100 & 200 Breaststroke, 4th place at FL States in 100 Breaststroke

Academic Awards/Honors: 1st and 2nd honors throughout 3 years

Quick Facts: Leo also enjoys surfing and golf.

Why Mason? “Up and coming academic program, great swim team, enjoyed the hospitality when I visited, want to help Mason to be conference champs”

John N Warker, III

Reading, PA

Wilson High School

Position: Diving

Athletic Awards/Honors:

2014-2015 NISCA All American, All State (PA), All Central Penn League, All Berks County , PA

2013-2014 NISCA All American, All State (PA), All Central Penn League, All Berks County, PA

2012 AAU 1M Syncro National Champion

Quick Facts: “Volunteer Diving Coach at local pool and assisted with the Wilson Age Group Diving Program. Interests include Live Music and Outdoor Activities. I am a twin.”

Why Mason? “George Mason was my number one choice to pursue my major in Tourism and Event Management. The combination of the school and area were key in my decision.”

Jordan Ware Witherow

Mechanicsville, Virginia

Lee-Davis High School

Position: Distance Freestyle/Butterfly

500 FR: 4:40.39

1650 FR: 16:05.46

200 FL: 1:56.37

Athletic Awards/Honors: Poseidon Swimming Breakout Swimmer of the Year (2014-2015)

Academic Awards/Honors: Hanover Scholar

Why Mason? “Great atmosphere and awesome people.”

Steven Kimani Maina

Edmonton, Canada

The Bolles School

Position: Backstroke/Freestyle/IM

100 BK: 52.21

200 BK: 1:55.07

100 FR: 48.12

200 FR: 1:43.61

200 IM: 1:56.28

Athletic Awards/Honors: Most Improved Club swimmer (2008-2009) (2009-2010)

Most Valuable Club swimmer (2010-2011)

Provincial Champion in the 100 Free, 200 Free, 800 Free, 1500 Free

16th place Commonwealth Games in the 200 Backstroke

Academic Awards/Honors: 2nd Academic honors at Bolles School

Quick Facts: “I like to play basketball, soccer and football in my free time on weekends. “

Why Mason? “I chose Mason because when I started looking at the school my friends had told me good things about Mason, and after a lot of research into the school I wanted to be a part of a college with a long standing tradition of excellence and diverse community.”

The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World. To reach our audience, contact us at newsmaster@swimmingworld.com.

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