Holder Adds Seven to Roster for 2019-20 Season

HANOVER, N.H. – Head coach James Holder has announced the addition of seven athletes to the Dartmouth women's swimming and diving team as members of the Class of 2023.

Joining the Big Green ahead of the 2019-20 season are Christina Cianciolo, Leah Johnson, Lexi Pickens, Kaia Reznicek, Megan Tao, Siera Daly and Bridget Parker.

"I'm very excited about the strength and depth of the Class of 2023," Holder said. "Overall, they are a great balance of top-end speed and potential over their four years at Dartmouth. I expect the class as a whole to have an immediate impact on our success."

Name: Christina Cianciolo
Hometown/High School: Sarasota, Fla. / Riverview
Club Team: Sarasota YMCA Sharks
Events: Mid and distance free
Awards/Accolades: Senior national qualifier (1000 free) … three-time YMCA National finalist … summer and winter junior nationals qualifier … Presidential Award of Academic Excellence.
Why I Chose Dartmouth: "I chose Dartmouth because of the team atmosphere and how welcoming the coaching staff and everyone was, not to mention the campus is incredibly beautiful. On my recruiting trip I felt like I was home, like this was where I belonged. I couldn't have chosen a better place to continue my academic and athletic career."

Name: Leah Johnson
Hometown/High School: Brea, Calif. / Brea Olinda
Club Team: La Mirada Armada
Events: Distance Free, IM
Awards/Accolades: National Merit Commended Scholar … four-time CIF Southern Section qualifier and three-time finalist (500 free) … three-time Futures qualifier … three-time Southern California Swimming All-Star … Southern California Swimming Age Group Zone Team.
Why I Chose Dartmouth: "I chose Dartmouth because I loved the combination of amazing academics with a driven swim program. The atmosphere created by both the students and swimmers made me feel welcome and excited about attending Dartmouth and swimming on the team."

Name: Lexi Pickens
Hometown/High School: Houston, Texas / St. Johns School
Club Team: DADS Club
Awards/Accolades: Two-time Maverick Award … three-time Athletic Excellence Award … three-time High Point Award … three-time SPC individual champion … Gulf Swimming record (200 long course free) … national qualifier.
Why I Chose Dartmouth: "I chose Dartmouth because of its amazing academic opportunities and its unique environment. The sense of community on the Dartmouth campus is unparalleled; the people of Dartmouth are warm, welcoming and passionate. Also, the proximity to nature combined with the feel of Hanover is exclusively found at Dartmouth. I am so excited to be able to spend the next four years there and to continue my swimming career."

Name: Kaia Reznicek
Hometown/High School: Boulder, Colo. / Fairview
Club Team: Elevations Athletics
Event: Fly
Awards/Accolades: Four-time All-America … school record holder … co-captain … state champion … Academic All-America.
Why I Chose Dartmouth: "During the recruiting trip, I was inspired by the camaraderie and excited by the energy of the team. Dartmouth's culture and location seems to foster a rare closeness and sense of collaboration that I hadn't seen elsewhere. I am beyond thrilled to join in the fall!"

Name: Megan Tao
Hometown/High School: Los Gatos, Calif. / Los Gatos
Club Team: Peak Swimming
Event: Breast
Awards/Accolades: Scholastic All-America … school record holder … three-time California CIF qualifier.
Why I Chose Dartmouth: "I chose Dartmouth because of the welcoming and supportive team environment, the sense of community present on campus and its strong academics."

Name: Siera Daly
Hometown/High School: Weston, Conn. / Weston
Club Team: Chelsea Piers Athletic Club
Events: Breast, fly, IM
Awards/Accolades: Three-time North Eastern Sectional Champion … winter junior nationals qualifier … 10-time SCY Speedo Sectionals finalist.
Why I Chose Dartmouth: "Dartmouth's blend of rigorous academics, competitive athletics and inclusive community is unmatched. From the moment I stepped foot on campus, the great coaches and welcoming swimmers made me feel at home. I am looking forward to representing the Big Green for the next four years!"

Name: Bridget Parker
Hometown/High School: Lewis Center, Ohio / Olentangy
Club Team: Ohio State Swim Club
Events: IM, breast
Awards/Accolades: Four-year Ohio Division I High School State Championship qualifier … nine-time All-Ohio … national Wendy's High School Heisman winner … two-year captain … three-time MVP … two-time nationally ranked swimmer.
Why I Chose Dartmouth: "I chose Dartmouth because of the amazing academics, the welcoming team and coaches, the amazing opportunities offered and the beautiful campus. I was fortunate to visit the school twice before making my decision and I saw there was a true rich historical character and genuine warmth that I felt at no other school."

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