CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – A total of 23 incoming first-years will be added to the MIT men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams this fall, as announced by Mary Frances Wagley ’47 Head Coach Meg Sisson French and assistant coach James Sica earlier this week. The incoming class is highlighted by Edenna Chen and James Richardson as they both have qualified for the 2020 United States Olympic Trials in the 100-breast and 100-fly, respectfully.
“Our first-year class is an extremely talented and versatile group of swimmers and divers. These student-athletes have a unique opportunity to make a positive impact on not only our swim and dive program, but the overall MIT community,” said Sisson French. “I can’t wait to work with this incoming class and see what they can accomplish this season!”
Sica added, “I am incredibly excited to welcome the class of 2023 to our Tech family! This class has a tremendous amount to contribute both in the pool and within the greater community at MIT. I can’t wait to see what they will add to our team during the 2019-20 season and during their four years at MIT!”
Both teams capped their respective seasons by winning the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Swimming and Diving Championship, along with finishing in the top-9 at the NCAA Division III Championship. The men’s saw rising sophomore Jay Lang (South Lyon, Mich.) claim the 3-meter national championship and rising senior Bouke Edskes (Rockville, Md.) take home national runner-up honors in the 100-fly as they guided the program to a sixth place finish with 203 points at nationals. The women’s team finished ninth at the NCAA Division III National Championship with 125 points as rising junior Deborah Wen (Honolulu, Hawaii) was the national runner-up on the 1-meter board.
MIT SWIMMING & DIVING CLASS OF 2023
| THEO BLACK | Mill Creek, Wash. – Henry M. Jackson High School |
| Top Times: 50-Free – 24.31 100-Free – 52.98 100-Fly – 56.53 |
“I chose MIT for the world-class opportunities and community I experienced from both the team and the school as soon as I stepped onto the campus. There is no place I’d rather be to study and swim. Roll Tech!” |
| TREVOR CARTER | Glen Ellyn, Ill. – Glenbard South High School |
| Top Times: 200-Free – 1:43.34 500-Free – 4:36.74 1650-Free – 15:57.30 |
“I chose MIT because it provides the ideal student athlete environment for me, combining world-class academics and a nationally competitive swim team. What drew me the most to MIT was the passion that each individual has for their interests and goals. The energy on campus is unmatched, and I’m excited for the countless opportunities available!” |
| EDENNA CHEN | Colorado Springs, Colo. – Rampart High School |
| Top Times: 100-Breast – 1:01.30 200-Breast – 2:14.73 200-IM – 2:05.13 |
“At MIT, I can pursue challenging academics and continue swimming; I can also fulfill my call to serve in the Air Force and be a part of a truly amazing community.”
Qualified for the 2020 United States Olympic Trials in the 100-Breast with a time of 1:10.63 |
| KATELIN DU | Scarsdale, N.Y. – Scarsdale High School |
| Top Scores: 1-Meter – 479.55 (11 Dives) 3-Meter – 419.95 (11 Dives) |
“I made my decision because I wanted to surround myself with the brightest of STEM minds. Being around people with similar interests to mine encourages me, and I hope being with my classmates/teammates motivates me in the direction of my aspirations. At the same time, continuing diving was important to me and being just a train ride away from home felt like the perfect distance.” |
| NICOLE DUNDAS | Menlo Park, Calif. – Menlo Atherton High School |
| Top Times: 100-Fly – 58.49 200-Fly – 2:10.19 400-IM – 4:32.52 |
“I chose MIT because of the amazing community found not only throughout the entire school but particularly in the swim team. I also love how passionate and multifaceted everyone is. I think Boston will be a great city to explore over the next four years. I look forward to getting to know everyone on the team!” |
| ADAM JANICKI | Falls Church, Va. – George Mason High School |
| Top Times: 100-Back – 49.79 200-Back – 1:49.67 200-IM – 1:51.64 |
“MIT is the perfect place for me to achieve my full potential academically and in the pool. The team chemistry and coaching staff are unbeatable, and I can’t wait to be a part of such an amazing team. Roll Tech!!!” |
| CALLIE KUNZ | Woodbury, Minn. – East Ridge High School |
| Top Times: 500-Free – 5:03.36 1000-Free – 10:22.44 1650-Free – 17:32.62 |
“From the first time I stepped on campus I felt like I was welcomed into the team as if I were already part of the family. On top of that, MIT’s unrivaled STEM education offers opportunities that I wouldn’t be able to find anywhere else!” |
| SHIRLEY LI | Honolulu, Hawaii – Kalani High School |
| Top Times: 200-Fly – 2:04.83 200-IM – 2:09.06 400-IM – 4:33.88 |
“I chose MIT because it was a once in a lifetime opportunity to not only receive a prestigious education and achieve my personal goals, but also to interact with the student body that truly make MIT the unique community it is today. And being from Hawaii, living on the east coast finally gives me a chance to experience what a proper winter feels like!” |
| MEGHA MARAN | Elk Grove, Calif. – Franklin High School |
| Top Scores: 1-Meter – 390.05 (11 Dives) 3-Meter – 352.05 (11 Dives) |
“I chose to come to MIT because it was a great opportunity to study at one of the world’s top universities, while also being able to continue diving. The atmosphere of the campus and classes that I experienced when I visited was amazing, with students and professors both so passionate about whatever they were involved in. I wanted to be a part of the incomparable prestige of MIT which will greatly expand my possibilities for the future.” |
| TRENT PIERCY | Austin, Texas – Regents School of Austin |
| Top Times: 50-Free – 21.49 100-Free – 45.97 200-Free – 1:41.21 |
“I chose MIT because of it’s unparalleled atmosphere and community. Not to mention the quality of education and the vast resources and opportunities available to students. I’ll be surrounded by many of the brightest and most driven people on Earth with the ability to participate in truly world changing research and technological development. I’m beyond excited to be challenged and grow together with my classmates and fellow swimmers over the next four years.” |
| JAMES RICHARDSON | Mercer Island, Wash. – Mercer Island High School |
| Top Times: 100-Back – 47.83 100-Fly – 48.37 100-Free – 44.86 |
“I chose MIT because it is the best STEM school in the nation. I also love the MIT Swim and Dive team culture as well as the school culture. I believe that MIT will allow me to challenge myself in academics and athletics while maintain a fun social life in a vibrant city. It is simply the best school for me!”
Qualified for the 2020 United States Olympic Trials in the 100-Fly with a time of 54.10 |
| CHRIS RINARD | Mountain View, Calif. – Nueva High School |
| Top Times: 100-Back – 51.14 200-Back – 1:52.41 400-IM – 4:03.74 |
“I really enjoyed my visit, and in interacting with the members of the team, I got the feeling that MIT was the place for me. I am looking to be an Aeronautical Engineering major, and there is no better place for that. I saw the community and intellectual enthusiasm and knew that this was the place for me. I’m really looking forward to being a part of the team!” |
| JAKE SHAPIRO | Northbrook, Ill. – Glenbrook North High School |
| Top Times: 100-Free – 46.01 200-Free – 1:39.48 100-Fly – 49.55 |
“In short, MIT offered the perfect balance of academics, athletics, and a social scene. The academics are unparalleled and the STEM focus of the Institute is exactly the environment I wanted to immerse myself in. The swim team was warm, welcoming, and successful to top it off. I really connected with the members of the team and knew they will help me thrive. Finally, there are clubs and organizations at MIT for any interest. MIT provided me with the perfect community and environment that I wanted to live in for the next four years.” |
| SAMUEL SONG | Johns Creek, Ga. – Johns Creek High School |
| Top Times: 100-Breast – 57.08 200-Breast – 2:02.07 400-IM – 4:03.02 |
“At MIT, I can surround myself with a community of innovators — of people who can not only think up inventive ideas but also develop creative solutions to implement and realize those ideas. It is a place of unmatched opportunity, sense of discovery, and spirit of creativity. Plus, their mascot is pretty funny.” |
| GRADY THOMAS | Atlanta, Ga. – The Westminster School |
| Top Score: 1-Meter – 273.40 (6 Dives) |
“I chose MIT because I could have access to lots of different opportunities, like doing research and continuing to dive. I also really like all the freedom MIT gives you to explore what you want to learn and try lots of new subjects and experiences.I chose MIT because I could have access to lots of different opportunities, like doing research and continuing to dive. I also really like all the freedom MIT gives you to explore what you want to learn and try lots of new subjects and experiences.” |
| BRENDAN WAGNER | Elmhurst, Ill. – Northridge Preparatory |
| Top Times: 200-Free – 1:42.70 500-Free – 4:34.99 1650-Free – 16:04.86 |
“I chose MIT because it creates a great opportunity for a world-class education with a wide range of resources in the STEM fields. The swim team provides a competitive and welcoming atmosphere that will help drive me to achieve my goals.” |
| EMILY WANG | Clifton Park, N.Y. – Shenendehowa High School |
| Top Times: 200-Back – 2:07.12 400-IM – 4:37.24 500-Free – 5:14.74 |
“I chose MIT for the strength of its academic programs, strong sense of community, and outstanding coaching staff and team. Go Tech!” |
| HENRY WANG | Dallas, Texas – Highland Park High School |
| Top Times: 100-Breast – 56.09 200-Breast – 2:02.57 200-IM – 1:57.59 |
“The incredible academic environment, boundless research opportunities, amazing team culture, and beautiful location made choosing to attend MIT an easy decision. I am thrilled to call MIT home for the next four years!” |
| CAROLINE WARREN | Scotch Plains, N.J. – Scotch Plains Fanwood High School |
| Top Times: 200-Free – 1:56.98 500-Free – 5:13.09 100-Fly – 59.21 |
“I chose MIT for the endless opportunities to challenge myself in both academics and swimming. When I visited, everyone was very welcoming and I can’t wait to join the MIT community!” |
| MADISON WONG | Katy, Texas – Obra D. Tompkins High School |
| Top Times: 100-Free – 52.56 200-Free – 1:53.17 100-Fly – 57.19 |
“I chose MIT for the amazing academic oppurtunities and wide variety of majors that MIT offers while also allowing me to pursue athletics at the same time. On all my visits to campus, I was met with an awesome team culture and welcoming students. I cannot wait to be an Engineer!” |
| JENNIFER XIONG | Buffalo Grove, Ill. – Adlai E. Stevenson High School |
| Top Times: 100-Free – 54.47 200-Free – 1:55.30 100-Fly – 1:00.10 |
“I chose MIT because in addition to world-class academics, MIT has an innovative, kind student body and an open-minded, collaborative environment. There are endless opportunities to learn and grow, and I really felt at home with the community and culture!” |
| LIANE XU | Boston, Mass. – Boston Latin School |
| Top Times: 50-Free – 25.97 100-Free – 57.46 |
“I chose MIT because of the incredible academic opportunities and the people. During CPW, I felt a sense of community that I hadn’t really felt anywhere else. I loved that I could receive a world-class education in such a supportive and collaborative environment.” |
| ANGELINA ZHANG | New York, N.Y. – Trinity School |
| Top Times: 200-Fly – 2:05.34 200-IM – 2:08.29 400-IM – 4:29.25 |
“I chose MIT for the endless opportunities to learn and grow academically and athletically. During my visits, the team was incredibly welcoming, and I knew that MIT was the right place for me. I can’t wait for the next four years! Roll Tech!” |