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.”
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