The Colorado State swimming & diving team has added four more athletes to its roster for the 2017-18 season, the team announced today.
Julia Box, Sofia Dionisio and Taylor Snell will add to the swimming depth for the Rams, while Rachel Holland will join the CSU diving corps.
“These four young ladies give us more than depth, they will provide character, leadership and some punch as we head towards the 2017-18 season,” head coach Christopher Woodard.
Julia Box | Boulder, Colo. | Fairview HS | Boulder Swim Team
Box transfers to CSU from Buffalo with two years of eligibility remaining… She was the MAC champion in the 200 butterfly in 2016-17… Box also holds five records at Buffalo, including three individual bests (100 backstroke, 100 & 200 butterfly)… Box was a star at Fairview, setting school records in the 100 butterfly and with the 400 free relay squad… She was also a member of three All-American relay units (twice in the 200 medley and once in the 400 free)… She also posted individual All-American marks in the 100 butterfly and the 100 backstroke… Box earned MAC Academic Honor Roll recognition in each of her first two collegiate seasons.
Woodard on Box: “Julia Box returns to Colorado after a successful two-year stint at the University of Buffalo under Coach Andy Bashor. We recruited Julia out of high school and knew she could make a big impact on any team lucky to have her. We’re excited that this MAC champion has decided to come back home and she will definitely aid our team’s top-end depth, as well as creating great competition among our relay teams.”
Sofia Dionisio | Zug, Switzerland | International School of Zug and Luzern | Sporting Clube de Portugal/Schwimmverein Baar
Dionisio has swam competitively in Switzerland and Portugal throughout her junior career… She is the first European swimmer at CSU since Tove Tornstrom finished her record-breaking career in 2012… She won a silver medal in the Portuguese National Championships in the 400 IM and a bronze in the 200 IM at the Youth Summer Swiss Championships last year… Was named team MVP twice and was a two-year captain for ISZL… Was consistently the among the top youth breaststrokers on Portugal as a youth… At age 12, her relay team set a national record in the 800 free relay event… Set a national record in Switzerland in the 400 IM, and her 800 free relay unit also set a national record, both in 2014.
Woodard on Dionisio: “We are so excited to have Sofia join us for the 2017-18 season. We were lucky enough that Sofia sought Colorado State and our program out, as she is a national level talent who comes with international experience and a diverse skill set. She should be able to bolster an already strong endurance IM and stroke group with her work ethic and knowledge of the sport.”
Rachel Holland | Fort Collins, Colo. | Rocky Mountain HS
Holland is a Fort Collins native that took third place in her conference meet each of the last two years… Placed ninth in the state of Colorado this past year… Posted top scores of 454.35 (11 dives) and 255.8 (six dives) in the 1 meter springboard… Graduated from RMHS with honors.
Diving coach Chelsea Popplewell on Holland: “I can’t wait to start working with Rachel. She has a ton of raw talent that is just waiting to be developed. It’s already very evident to me that she has a huge passion for diving and for being a great teammate which is going to help cultivate the kind of culture we’re building here at CSU.”
Taylor Snell | Ventura, Calif. | Ventura HS | Buenaventura Swim Club
Snell was first team all-county in 2014 and 2015… Was a three-time CIF finalist in high school… She received an award for CIF Academic Excellence and was accepted into the rigorous BioScience Academy offered within her high school… Has a published study in a scientific journal.
Woodard on Snell: “Taylor comes to us from Buenaventura Swim Club under coach Jason York’s tutelage. Taylor is a four-time CIF finalist and has shown a great ability to compete in the butterfly events. She will add great depth, experience and character to our strong fly corps.”
Press Release courtesy of Colorado State Athletics.