Eight Added to Roster for Upcoming 2018-19 Season

Dartmouth Falls to UConn in Non-Conference Meet

Eight Added to Roster for Upcoming 2018-19 Season

6/20/2018 1:26:00 PM | Women's Swimming & Diving

By: Charlotte Brackett

HANOVER, N.H. - Head coach James Holder has announced the addition of eight athletes to the Dartmouth women's swimming and diving team as members of the Class of 2022.

Joining the Big Green ahead of the 2018-19 season are Susannah Laster, Mia Leko, Isabella Lichen, Sarah Minnigh, Ashley Post, Zoe Wortzman, Connie Zhang and Eleanor Zwart.

"I am excited for the immediate impact that many of the freshmen will have on the program, both in individuals as well as in relays," Holder said. "I think they will have a huge impact on the future of the program. They are buying into the team that we're building here and I'm looking forward to what's to come."

Name: Susannah Laster
Hometown/High School: Pasadena, Calif. / Polytechnic High School
Event: Back / IM
Why I chose Dartmouth: "I chose Dartmouth because I wanted to swim for a Division I program while still having the opportunities to go abroad and have a large amount of academic options. I'm hoping my experience racing on a winning high school team and being a part of a really team focused club team will allow me to be an integral part of team spirit, relays and scoring points at the Ivy League Championship. I want to bring up Dartmouth's standing within the conference and can't wait to race for the Big Green."

Name: Mia Leko
Hometown/High School: North Branford, Conn. / Cheshire Academy
Event: Mid-distance free / fly
Accolades: Scholastic All-America … YMCA national finalist … Connecticut scholar athlete.
Why I chose Dartmouth: "I chose Dartmouth because of the amazing academic and athletic opportunities offered. The beautiful nature and friendly community helped me decide that this is definitely a place where I would want to spend my next four years. While visiting, I noticed that the swim team has a lot of pride in being a part of the Big Green family and I am so excited to join them soon. I am hoping to help the team get to the top of the Ivy League!"

Name: Isabella Lichen
Hometown/High School: Rochester, Minn. / Rochester Mayo High School
Event: Diving
Accolades: Two-time all-state … won back-to-back conference and sectional individual titles.
Why I chose Dartmouth: "I chose Dartmouth because I fell in love with the environment. Not only did it have everything I was looking for in a school, but the people there positively influenced my decision. The weekend I was there, I already felt like I belonged, and that's what pulled me in. I couldn't imagine myself going anywhere else. Like any athlete, I hope to widen my skill set, achieving a full 2.5 list on 3-meter, and breaking 300 points on 1-meter."

Name: Sarah Minnigh
Hometown/High School: Pittsford, N.Y. / Pittsford High School
Event: Distance free
Accolades: Three-time All-Greater Rochester recipient … four-time sectional title holder … captain.
Why I chose Dartmouth: "I chose Dartmouth because of the devoted and inseparable team, exceptional academics and the unmatched career opportunities. I hope to place in the top ten in at least one of my events at the Ivy League Championship next year."

Name: Ashley Post
Hometown/High School: Edina, Minn. / Edina High School
Event: Sprint free
Accolades: All-American … Minnesota Swimmer of the Year nominee … four-year all-state … Minnesota state runner-up in the 200 free.
Why I chose Dartmouth: "I chose Dartmouth because of the awesome balance between athletics and academics as well as the beautiful campus. I hope to have an impact on the program by becoming a great teammate both in and out of the pool."

Name: Zoe Wortzman
Hometown/High School: Mill Valley, Calif. / Tamalpais High School
Event: Sprint free / fly
Accolades: Junior national competitor … conference champion … four-year NCS Scholar-Athlete … California North Coast section finalist … western zone record holder in 400 medley relay.
Why I chose Dartmouth: "I chose Dartmouth because it felt like a community I could grow in as an athlete and student. The team was so welcoming from the moment I arrived and the coaching staff seemed more than willing to work with me to accomplish my goals in college swimming. I hope to score points for Dartmouth in the Ivy League Championship and swim on a relay."

Name: Connie Zhang
Hometown/High School: Lisle, Ill. / Naperville High School
Event: Back / free
Accolades: Two-time scholastic all-American … captain … record holder … three-time all-state … winter junior nationals competitor.
Why I chose Dartmouth: "My first visit to Dartmouth left a lasting impression on me. I was awestruck by the beautiful campus and the wonderful opportunities Dartmouth students were offered. I was also amazed by the strong sense of community on campus that was carried on through the dedicated alumni network. The swim team and coaching staff really made me feel like Dartmouth was the place for me to improve as an athlete, student, and person. I am so excited to receive a world-class education and explore the many options I will have at Dartmouth."

Name: Eleanor Zwart
Hometown/High School: Durham, N.H. / Oyster River High School
Event: Sprint free / fly / back
Accolades: Valedictorian … recipient of the Smith College Book Award … Seacoast Media Group's Girls Soccer Player of the Year (2016).
Why I chose Dartmouth: "Aside from strength in academics, I chose Dartmouth primarily because of its community. What really solidified my decision was Dimensions; I felt as though the people here were those that I would not find anywhere else. Its proximity to nature and outdoor activities was also a pull for me and when I arrived on campus, I felt at home. In terms of the swimming and diving program, I hope to improve myself as a competitor, ultimately reaching a point where my performances could score points for us. But, I would also like to be a good teammate and friend — I think that being a member of a team is going to ease the transition into college as we will all be there for each other, experiencing the same adjustments."