Johns Hopkins Announces Men’s & Women’s 2021-22 Recruiting Classes

Courtesy: Johns Hopkins Athletics

BALTIMORE, MD – Johns Hopkins men’s and women’s swim coach Scott Armstrong announced that 12 freshmen will join the Blue Jays for the 2020-21 season. The 12 incoming freshmen hail from 10 different states and one Canadian province.

“This is perhaps the deepest and fastest class in Hopkins swimming history,” noted Armstrong. “In an unprecedented year, Coach Zagrobelney and I were able to identify some of the best student-athletes in the country. More importantly this is a group of young individuals who exhibit kindness, hard work and the “BeMore” attitude of Hopkins swimming.”

Hopkins produced a total of 35 College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) All-America honors following the 2020-21 shortened season, with 13 men and four women earning the honor. When the NCAA last held the Division III Swimming and Diving Championships, Hopkins finished fourth on the men’s side and 13th on the women’s side.

Bios of the 12 student-athletes are below:

Daniel Byrnes
Roanoke, VA • North Cross School
Favorite Events: 200 Free (1:41.21), 500 Free (4:33.84)
Club Team: Virginia Gators
Intended Major: Mechanical Engineering
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I chose Johns Hopkins for the amazing academic opportunities it offers as well as its strong swim team.

Joe Castagno
Basking Ridge, NJ • The Pingry School
Favorite Events: 400 IM (4:00.10), 200 Breast (2:03.48)
Club Team: Greater Somerset County YMCA
Intended Major: Applied Math
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: Johns Hopkins has the perfect balance between excellent academics and athletics. The school provides the opportunity for me to reach my full potential as a swimmer without sacrificing academic performance. Also, the other team members are equally as driven in the pool and the classroom, which creates an environment in which I will excel.

Kristin Cornish
Chappaqua, NY • Horace Greeley
Favorite events: 1650 Free (1625.86), 500 Free (4:48.95), 200 Free (1:49.84)
Club team: Badger Swim Club
Intended Major: Pre-health
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I am so excited to announce my commitment to study and swim for the Johns Hopkins University. A huge thank you to my coaches, friends, teammates, and family for all their help throughout this process. I can’t wait to join such a supportive community next year. Go Blue Jays!

Megan Craven
McLean VA • National Cathedral School
Favorite Events: 100 Breast (1:05:54), 200 Breast (2:23:57)
Club Team: Machine Aquatics
Intended Major: Biological Sciences
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I chose Johns Hopkins for the great camaraderie of the swim team. I also chose Hopkins for the balance of a rigorous academic and athletic program. I was drawn to the drive and determination of the students and athletes. I am so thankful for my coaches, friends and family for pushing me to always try my best both in and out of the pool. I cannot wait to be a Blue Jay!

Hannah Fu
Toronto, Ontario • St. Robert Catholic
Favorite Events: 1500m Free (17:35 LC) & Open Water
Club Team: OSA & RHSD
Intended Major: Molecular and Cellular Biology
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I chose Hopkins for its amazing academics and team spirit. I thank my coaches, teachers, friends and family for their continuous support!!

Eric Ji
St. Louis, MO • Mary Institute and St. Louis Country Day School (MICDS)
Favorite Events: 200 Breast (2:01.84), 400 IM (4:01.14), 200 IM (1:52.74)
Club Team: CSP Tideriders
Intended Major:Electrical Engineering
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I chose Hopkins because of the opportunity to not only receive a quality education but also continue my athletic career alongside like-minded people who also wish to better themselves. Thank you to my swim coaches and my teachers for making this possible and to my parents who have always supported me, as well as Coach Scott for giving me this chance.

Nathan Jin
Alpharetta, GA • Alpharetta
Favorite Events: 200 IM (1:51.92), 100 Breast (56.49), 100 Free (46.90)
Club Team: Dynamo Swim Club
Intended Major: Neuroscience / pre-med
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I chose JHU because of its academic and athletic rigor and balance. I thought it was the best fit for me, as it would set me up to succeed in both the classroom and the pool. Thanks to my family, friends, and coaches who have supported me throughout the years.

Mitchell List
Westerville, OH • St. Charles Preparatory School
Favorite Events: 100 Breast (55.81), 200 Breast (2:01.25)
Club Team: New Albany Aquatics Club
Intended Major: Public Health
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: Thank you so much to my super supportive parents for helping me navigate the recruiting process and taking me to all my practices and meets for eighteen years. I truly wouldn’t be where I am today without you!

Michelle Liu
Rochester Hills, MI • Rochester Adams
Favorite Events: 100 Free (50.97), 200 Breast (2:18.86)
Club team: Oly Swimming
Intended Major: Neuroscience
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I chose Hopkins because of the opportunity to study at a prestigious institution and to swim on a highly competitive and close-knit team.

Taylor Rohovit
Pleasanton, CA • Foothill
Favorite events: 100 Breast (1:03.88), 200 Breast (2:18.13), 400 IM (4:29.18)
Club team: Tri Valley Aquatics
Intended major: Cognitive science (pre-med track) with a minor in Spanish
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I chose Hopkins because of the incredibly close and supportive team atmosphere. Even virtually, I could tell that everyone wants each person to succeed in every aspect, and I am so excited to grow in my swimming and academic future!

Jonik Surprenant
Silver Spring, MD • James Hubert Blake
Favorite Events: 100 Fly (48.94), 200 Fly (1:48.6), 200 Free (1:41), 500 Free (4:35)
Club Team: Rockville Montgomery swim club
Major: Materials Science Engineering
Why I chose Hopkins: I choose Hopkins because of the amazing educational and research opportunities that the school provides, and because of the welcoming atmosphere of the team. I would like to thank my teachers and coaches for helping me get to this place.

Meg Susil
West Des Moines, IA • Dowling Catholic
Favorite Events:  200 Free (1:50.06), 500 Free (4:52.16)
Club Team: DSMY
Intended Major: Molecular and Cellular Biology
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I chose Hopkins because of the amazing academic programs in my areas of interest, as well as the connection I felt with Coach Armstrong and the other swimmers. I’d like to thank my parents, family, and coaches so much for everything they’ve done to support me along the way. I couldn’t be here without them.