A Farewell to LIU Post Seniors

By Seren Jones, Swimming World College Intern

The women’s swim team of LIU Post assembled at the Pratt Recreation Center on Saturday, January 24 to take on its Division I rival, Wagner College. But this wasn’t a typical dual meet for the Pioneers. For the five LIU Post seniors, the meet meant much more.

At first, the atmosphere on the Pioneer pool deck wasn’t quite as fired up as usual. Despite the fluorescent green posters and international flags that were scattered as decorations on the far wall of the deck, there seemed to be a mix of emotions lingering above the 14 team members.

Disbelief. Acceptance. Excitement. Nostalgia. The bittersweet moment for the graduating seniors had arrived, but the fast swimming had yet to commence.

But it certainly did with a splash. The Pioneers earned nine NCAA ‘B’ cuts, broke seven pool records, and won 11 events to defeat the Wagner Seahawks with a final score of 141-121.

Emotions ran high as the senior class walked away from their final dual meet, having beaten the team who easily surpassed them only a year ago.

LIU Post’s seniors are a group of extremely diverse and successful individuals. Not only have they contributed to the athletic success of the team (ranked 5th in the CSCAA Division II Top 25 Poll), but the five also assisted the team in earning the highest GPA in all swim team divisions in 2014 with a 3.73.

Having worked, socialized, trained, cried, succeeded and, of course, matured with these spectacular young ladies, I would like to take the time to recognize all of their hard work and dedication over their time at Long Island University, C.W. Post Campus.

I proudly present the senior class of LIU Post women’s swim team…

Photo Courtesy: LIU Post Pioneers

Courtney Delehanty is from Oceanport, N.J. The senior captain has been an All-Conference swimmer since her freshman year and occupies spots in the team top five times in the 50 free, 200 medley relay and 200 free relay.

Last year, Delehanty qualified for the NCAA Championships in the 200 medley relay, which placed 8th, and swam in the 200 free relay, which placed 10th. The CSCAA Scholar All-American has already succeeded in qualifying for this year’s NCAAs in the 50 free and the 200 free relay (which set a new school record and is currently ranked second in the nation). The NCAA All-American plans to complete a fifth year pursuing a master’s in health administration.

Photo Courtesy: Kirsty Elliott

Kirsty Elliott is from Edinburgh, Scotland. As a freshman, she finished in the top 16 at the Metropolitan Conference Championships with best times in the 400 IM and 200 backstroke. Having been injured and out of the water for the majority of last season, Elliott returned to conference with resilience. She improved upon her best times and finished in the top 8 in the same events.

Elliott assisted the Pioneers in becoming back-to-back conference champions in 2013 and 2014 and is a three-time East Coast Athletic Conference (ECAC) Championship qualifier. The All-Conference team member has already posted a best time in the 200 IM and will be graduating with a B.A. in Psychology.

Photo Courtesy: Johanna Pettersson

Johanna Pettersson is a three-time Metropolitan Conference Champion in the 200 backstroke and currently holds the conference record. The three-time NCAA qualifier holds team top five times in the 100 and 200 backstroke, 200 IM, 200 and 400 free relays, and the 200 and 400 medley relays.

Pettersson is recognized as a three-time All-Conference swimmer and earned the NCAA All-American status in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Like Delehanty, Pettersson has already qualified for this year’s NCAAs in the 200 free relay, 100 and 200 back, 200 IM, 400 free relay and 400 medley relay. She was a member of the NCAA Championship 400 medley relay team in 2013. She was also recognized by the CSCAA as a Scholar All-American in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Pettersson is from Kungalv, Sweden, and is graduating with a B.A. in Psychology.

Photo Courtesy: Carolin Rademacher

Carolin Rademacher transferred from Florida International University a year ago, but already holds the pool and team record in the 400 IM. She became Metropolitan Conference Champion and earned an NCAA All-American honorable mention by finishing in the top 16 at NCAAs in the 200 breaststroke and the 400 IM.

Rademacher holds team top five times in the 200 and 400 IM, 100 and 200 breaststroke, 1000 free, and 800 free relay. The All-Conference swimmer also received recognition as a Scholar All-American in 2014. Rademacher is from Isernhagen, Germany and will be graduating with a degree in psychology and a minor in comprehensive business.

Photo Courtesy: Marthe Sorensen

Marthe Sorensen was part of the winning 800 freestyle relay (which set a team and conference record) at the conference championships her freshman season. In the same season she also became conference champion in the 50 freestyle, and has since been recognized as an All-Conference swimmer every year.

Following her success at conference, Sorensen qualified for NCAAs in the 50 free, 100 fly, 100 free, 200 free relay and 200 medley relay, with the latter relay finishing fourth at NCAAs. She currently occupies team top five times in the 50, 100, 200 free, 100 fly and all of the relays.

This senior went on the become an NCAA All-American and a Scholar All-American in 2013 and 2014. Sorensen is an international student from Stavanger, Norway and intends to graduate with a B.S. in Marketing and International Business.

Last Saturday, five girls represented five countries, but stood together as one team. Although the end is nigh for senior collegiate athletes across the nation, the experiences that they have received and provided will certainly live on once they themselves have departed. And for that, we sincerely thank you.

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