Staten Island, NY – Incoming freshman Dorian McMenemy (Northboro, MA / Algonquin Regional) of the Wagner swimming and diving team is set to compete on this summer’s biggest stage when she represents the Dominican Republic at the FINA World Championships August 2-9 in Kazan, Russia.
This marks the third time in her career that McMenemy, who will be competing in the 50 meter freestyle and the 100 freestyle, will be representing her country in the FINA Championships.
“It is an honor,” the 18-year old expressed. “Not many people are able to get an opportunity to represent their country nationally. I am very excited to travel to Russia and to swim against several talented swimmers.”
The FINA World Championships brings together some of the best swimmers in the nation, including Olympians such as Nathan Adrian and Missy Franklin of the United States. Each swimmer’s goal, regardless of nationality, are looking to qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympics, which will take place in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.
The 2012 Dominican Female Athlete of the Year is quite familiar with handling the pressure of the big stage as she became the first, and only, female swimmer to represent the Dominican Republic when she competed in the 100-meter butterfly at the 2012 London Olympics.
McMenemy earned her ticket to Russia last month when she traveled to Barbados to compete at the Central American and Caribbean Swimming Championships, where she was crowned gold in four of the five individual events she swam (50-meter butterfly, 100 butterfly, 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle) and one relay (200-freestyle relay). In amassing the most points of any female swimmer at the meet ages 18 and older, McMenemy also took home bronze in the 200 freestyle.
Upon learning that she had qualified for Worlds in Russia this year, McMenemy was overwhelmed with joy.
“I could not have been any happier,” she said. “At the end of June, I had a swim meet in Barbados and I went there with one goal, which was to make the national team going to the World Championships. I was well-prepared for the meet and swam many best times. Because of my improvements and outstanding swims, I was told that I would be swimming in Russia.”
When she returns from Russia, McMenemy will head to Grymes Hill to begin her freshman year on the Wagner College swim team under the direction of two-time Northeast Conference (NEC) Coach of the Year, Colin Shannahan.
“I expect Dorian to make an immediate impact for us in both the sprint free/fly events but especially in relays,” said Shannahan at the time of her signing. “We can’t wait for her to arrive on campus to begin training for both NEC and international competitions.”
As she points towards her freshman year, McMenemy has lofty team and individual goals.
“I want to make an immediate impact and hopefully win a team and individuals conference championships my freshman year,” she said. “I feel that Wagner gives me that opportunity. I can’t wait to get started.”
“I had visited some of the strongest swim schools in the country and, ultimately, chose a smaller school that just felt right,” she added. “I got along with the swimmers on the team right away on my recruiting visit. I also found Coach Shannahan to be very eager and excited to work with me. I feel like he will help me become a better swimmer during the college season and internationally.”
To follow the World Championships in Kazan, Russia please visit kazan2015.com
Swimming news courtesy of Wagner College Swimming.