Senior women reflect on their time at Lehigh in preparation of final home meet against Bucknell
1/23/2020 4:00:00 PM | Women's Swimming and Diving
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – For the final time this season, seven members of the Lehigh women's swimming and diving team will conclude their four-year year tenure of swimming inside Jacobs Pool on Saturday against Bucknell. All seven seniors reflected on their time here at Lehigh,
Tori Connolly – Accounting & Finance – Allentown, Pa. – Parkland
What's your favorite Lehigh Swimming and Diving memory up to this point? Why
TC: My favorite memory to date is our Lehigh vs. Lafayette meet my freshmen year. Watching the alumni from years past pack the stands brought a new level of excitement that I had never felt before and strengthened the sense of family that this team has. The swimming at that meet felt much bigger than yourself and it was overall a fun experience that I cannot wait to continue to be a part of.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
TC: Over the past four years, the senior class has transformed into my family. We have spent practically all of our time together since our freshman year, struggling through the countless practices and celebrating one another's successes. It has been so fun to grow alongside each of them.
Describe the feeling going into your last home dual meet. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
TC: Bucknell is always an exciting meet since both the men's and women's teams are extremely competitive, but I am more emotionally invested in this meet since it is our last meet at our home pool and my last time swimming select events. I am ready to leave everything I have in the pool and hopefully continue our undefeated season. It's sad to see my time as a swimmer come to an end, but also exciting to know I will continue to be a part of Lehigh Swimming and Diving long after graduation.
What will you miss the most about Lehigh Swimming and Diving?
TC: I will miss the people the most. My coaches and my teammates have become my support system, always pushing me to be my best and making sure I remember to have fun along the way.
What are your postgraduate plans?
TC: I have accepted a job at Susquehanna International Group in Philadelphia where I will be working as a Tax Analyst.
Sydney Dougherty – Marketing – West Lawn, Pa. – Wilson
What's your favorite Lehigh Swimming and Diving memory up to this point? Why
SD: My favorite Lehigh swimming and Diving memory was the day that Coach Rob told me that I had made it on the team. After a week of trying to prove myself, he told me that the team liked me and that I would be a good part of the team culture. Everyone was so welcoming and excited for me, which made me even more excited to be there.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
SD: I'd say we are all pretty good friends.
Describe the feeling going into your last home dual meet. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
SD: It was a bittersweet feeling. I really enjoyed the time I got to spend being part of the team and seeing my teammates all the time. I liked being part of it all. It is a relief, however, to not have to wake up for early morning practices. I'm very grateful to have had such a great experience with such a great team.
What will you miss the most about Lehigh Swimming and Diving?
SD: Spending basically everyday with the team.
What are your postgraduate plans?
SD: I haven't fully decided yet. I'm weighing some options like grad school, law school, or just working right from graduation.
Payton Miles – Bioengineering – Limerick, Pa. – The Hill School
What's your favorite Lehigh Swimming and Diving memory up to this point? Why
PM: My favorite Lehigh swimming and diving memories always involved the Lehigh-Lafayette meet in November. There is not a specific moment that is my favorite, other than always sweeping nearly every event. The energy in the pool is unmatched, and seeing so many friends and family members packed into the stands just fuels that energy. Having
alums back to support the team, even if they may not know the current members, just shows how strong the LUSD family really is. I know for a fact that I will not get that type of feeling – racing our rivals with my teammates in a packed Jacobs pool – anywhere else.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
PM: My fellow seniors and I have been each other's best friends since we all stepped on campus a few years ago. They were not only my teammates, but people I spent nearly every waking moment with. We have struggled through the ups and downs of swimming and college life together, but we have also shared in each other's accomplishments. I am truly lucky to have gotten such a great group of people to go through college with and I cannot imagine it being any other way. We have grown up together in a sense, and the relationships we have formed are something I hope we carry into the future.
Describe the feeling going into your last home dual meet. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
PM: Thinking about our last home dual meet is bittersweet. I am so excited for it to be against Bucknell because they are great competitors who will challenge us in some events and make us swim to our fullest potential. All I can think about is finishing my college career in Jacobs pool with a win, so I will leave everything I have in the pool and preach that to my teammates as well. As for my thoughts on nearing the end of my CAREER, I don't want to think about that just yet. There is just under a month left until Patriots, and there is still a lot of work than can be done in the pool and in the weight room to prepare us for that meet. Swimming is what I have done all of my life, and the idea of it coming to an end for good is something so foreign to me that I can't quite comprehend it yet. All I know is that I am ready to race, and will take it day by day like I have been all season. I just want to continue to have fun along the way and cherish the last few weeks I have left. I know if I think too much about the "end" that I will suddenly burst into tears (I am an emotional person, okay).
What will you miss the most about Lehigh Swimming and Diving?
PM: I will miss my teammates and coaches the most. At the end of the day, swimming is just a sport, but the relationships that I have developed over the past 4 years here are what I will carry with me forever. I have learned so much about myself along the way, and I have grown immensely as an individual, a leader, and a friend that I can never truly thank Rob, Erin, Eric, Dylan, and my teammates enough. Showing up every day to practice wasn't always easy. But having a great support group behind me made it totally worth it. My mom always reminds me that college is the best 4 years of your life – and the LUSD family has made that statement all the more true.
What are your postgraduate plans?
PM: I am in the process of applying to grad school at Lehigh and hope to be able to help Rob and the team out in any way that I can.
Loeva Palu-Benson – Business – Venetia, Pa. – Peters Township
What's your favorite Lehigh Swimming and Diving memory up to this point? Why
LPB: My favorite Lehigh Swimming & Diving moment was at the Loyola meet this year when the meet came down to the last couple swims on the boys side, and the boys won the last relay and ended up winning by 1 point. This was the most exciting meet I have witnessed at Jacob's pool and all the excitement and energy really brought the team together.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
LPB: My fellow seniors are some of my best friends in and out of the pool, and we have grown so close over the last four years. I look forward to sharing our future successes together and I am so grateful to have gone through this experience with them all.
Describe the feeling going into your last home dual meet. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
LPB: It is very bittersweet closing this chapter of my life because I have been competitively swimming since I was 5 years old, but I am very excited for the future and very grateful for the relationships I have built through swimming.
What will you miss the most about Lehigh Swimming and Diving?
LPB: I will miss the people the most and being a part of a team. This team is full of amazing people and it was very special getting to see everyone each day.
What are your postgraduate plans?
LPB: I will be working as an assurance associate for PwC in New York.
Autumn Shaffer – Arts and Sciences – Denver, Pa. – Garden Spot
What's your favorite Lehigh Swimming and Diving memory up to this point? Why
AS: My favorite LUSD memory is of my first Lehigh-Lafayette meet freshman year. Although I don't remember any specific times or places, I will always remember the energy our team brought to the meet and the overwhelming support from LUSD alumni.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
AS: Our senior class is like one big family. Even though we will be graduating and going in different directions soon, I'm sure we will remain in touch for years to come.
Describe the feeling going into your last home dual meet. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
AS: It's a bittersweet feeling reaching the end of my swimming career. I know I'll miss the sport and my teammates, but at the same time I'm beyond excited for what my future will hold.
What will you miss the most about Lehigh Swimming and Diving?
AS: I will miss being challenged alongside my teammates every day to become a better version of myself both in and out of the pool.
What are your postgraduate plans?
AS: After graduation I plan on working as an environmental consultant.
Nicole Shek – Business – Mount Laurel, N.J. – Lenape
What's your favorite Lehigh Swimming and Diving memory up to this point? Why
NS: My favorite Lehigh swimming and diving memory is when I had the opportunity to be on the 200 medley relay at the Patriot League Championships as a freshman. The relay was so special because it consisted of primarily upperclassman who were performing in their last collegiate meet ever. I had the best experience representing the Mountain Hawks at my first collegiate championship meet.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
NS: Within the last 4 years, I was able to create strong relationships with my teammates in my class that will last a lifetime.
Describe the feeling going into your last home dual meet. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
NS: Going into my last home meet is definitely bittersweet. I love this sport and the people I have met along the way. I will miss the feeling of walking into Jacobs pool and competing alongside my teammates. Swimming is such a big part of my life and always will be.
What will you miss the most about Lehigh Swimming and Diving?
NS: I will miss the feeling of competition and the excitement of the team atmosphere. I will also miss the team oriented aspect of swimming the most.
What are your postgraduate plans?
NS: After graduating in May, I will be continuing my education while pursuing my Master's Degree in Accounting beginning in the Fall of 2020.
Marissa Wagner – Engineering – Toms River, N.J. – Toms River East
What's your favorite Lehigh Swimming and Diving memory up to this point? Why
MW: Training trip freshman year in Naples, Florida is my favorite memory of being on the Lehigh Swim and Dive team because we all became so close as a team. I specifically remember playing the game "mafia" around the fire pit every night with the whole team and having so much fun.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
MW: Being with the same people for four years you really get to know everyone. We have always been a really close class and will truly miss everyone when we graduate.
Describe the feeling going into your last home dual meet. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
MW: Going into the last home meet ever, I tried to really experience the meet and take moments to look up at the stands and realize that was the last time being on deck. It was both exciting and sad realizing that my swimming career was coming to an end. Being done with my swimming career has caused me to look back at all I've accomplished and to really be proud of my 16 years of commitment to the sport. I have no regrets and wouldn't change a thing!
What will you miss the most about Lehigh Swimming and Diving?
MW: The one thing I will miss most about swimming at Lehigh will be seeing all my friends every single day at practice.
What are your postgraduate plans?
MW: I plan on working for a biomedical device company or some other company within the medical industry.
Tori Connolly – Accounting & Finance – Allentown, Pa. – Parkland
What's your favorite Lehigh Swimming and Diving memory up to this point? Why
TC: My favorite memory to date is our Lehigh vs. Lafayette meet my freshmen year. Watching the alumni from years past pack the stands brought a new level of excitement that I had never felt before and strengthened the sense of family that this team has. The swimming at that meet felt much bigger than yourself and it was overall a fun experience that I cannot wait to continue to be a part of.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
TC: Over the past four years, the senior class has transformed into my family. We have spent practically all of our time together since our freshman year, struggling through the countless practices and celebrating one another's successes. It has been so fun to grow alongside each of them.
Describe the feeling going into your last home dual meet. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
TC: Bucknell is always an exciting meet since both the men's and women's teams are extremely competitive, but I am more emotionally invested in this meet since it is our last meet at our home pool and my last time swimming select events. I am ready to leave everything I have in the pool and hopefully continue our undefeated season. It's sad to see my time as a swimmer come to an end, but also exciting to know I will continue to be a part of Lehigh Swimming and Diving long after graduation.
What will you miss the most about Lehigh Swimming and Diving?
TC: I will miss the people the most. My coaches and my teammates have become my support system, always pushing me to be my best and making sure I remember to have fun along the way.
What are your postgraduate plans?
TC: I have accepted a job at Susquehanna International Group in Philadelphia where I will be working as a Tax Analyst.
Sydney Dougherty – Marketing – West Lawn, Pa. – Wilson
What's your favorite Lehigh Swimming and Diving memory up to this point? Why
SD: My favorite Lehigh swimming and Diving memory was the day that Coach Rob told me that I had made it on the team. After a week of trying to prove myself, he told me that the team liked me and that I would be a good part of the team culture. Everyone was so welcoming and excited for me, which made me even more excited to be there.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
SD: I'd say we are all pretty good friends.
Describe the feeling going into your last home dual meet. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
SD: It was a bittersweet feeling. I really enjoyed the time I got to spend being part of the team and seeing my teammates all the time. I liked being part of it all. It is a relief, however, to not have to wake up for early morning practices. I'm very grateful to have had such a great experience with such a great team.
What will you miss the most about Lehigh Swimming and Diving?
SD: Spending basically everyday with the team.
What are your postgraduate plans?
SD: I haven't fully decided yet. I'm weighing some options like grad school, law school, or just working right from graduation.
Payton Miles – Bioengineering – Limerick, Pa. – The Hill School
What's your favorite Lehigh Swimming and Diving memory up to this point? Why
PM: My favorite Lehigh swimming and diving memories always involved the Lehigh-Lafayette meet in November. There is not a specific moment that is my favorite, other than always sweeping nearly every event. The energy in the pool is unmatched, and seeing so many friends and family members packed into the stands just fuels that energy. Having
alums back to support the team, even if they may not know the current members, just shows how strong the LUSD family really is. I know for a fact that I will not get that type of feeling – racing our rivals with my teammates in a packed Jacobs pool – anywhere else.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
PM: My fellow seniors and I have been each other's best friends since we all stepped on campus a few years ago. They were not only my teammates, but people I spent nearly every waking moment with. We have struggled through the ups and downs of swimming and college life together, but we have also shared in each other's accomplishments. I am truly lucky to have gotten such a great group of people to go through college with and I cannot imagine it being any other way. We have grown up together in a sense, and the relationships we have formed are something I hope we carry into the future.
Describe the feeling going into your last home dual meet. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
PM: Thinking about our last home dual meet is bittersweet. I am so excited for it to be against Bucknell because they are great competitors who will challenge us in some events and make us swim to our fullest potential. All I can think about is finishing my college career in Jacobs pool with a win, so I will leave everything I have in the pool and preach that to my teammates as well. As for my thoughts on nearing the end of my CAREER, I don't want to think about that just yet. There is just under a month left until Patriots, and there is still a lot of work than can be done in the pool and in the weight room to prepare us for that meet. Swimming is what I have done all of my life, and the idea of it coming to an end for good is something so foreign to me that I can't quite comprehend it yet. All I know is that I am ready to race, and will take it day by day like I have been all season. I just want to continue to have fun along the way and cherish the last few weeks I have left. I know if I think too much about the "end" that I will suddenly burst into tears (I am an emotional person, okay).
What will you miss the most about Lehigh Swimming and Diving?
PM: I will miss my teammates and coaches the most. At the end of the day, swimming is just a sport, but the relationships that I have developed over the past 4 years here are what I will carry with me forever. I have learned so much about myself along the way, and I have grown immensely as an individual, a leader, and a friend that I can never truly thank Rob, Erin, Eric, Dylan, and my teammates enough. Showing up every day to practice wasn't always easy. But having a great support group behind me made it totally worth it. My mom always reminds me that college is the best 4 years of your life – and the LUSD family has made that statement all the more true.
What are your postgraduate plans?
PM: I am in the process of applying to grad school at Lehigh and hope to be able to help Rob and the team out in any way that I can.
Loeva Palu-Benson – Business – Venetia, Pa. – Peters Township
What's your favorite Lehigh Swimming and Diving memory up to this point? Why
LPB: My favorite Lehigh Swimming & Diving moment was at the Loyola meet this year when the meet came down to the last couple swims on the boys side, and the boys won the last relay and ended up winning by 1 point. This was the most exciting meet I have witnessed at Jacob's pool and all the excitement and energy really brought the team together.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
LPB: My fellow seniors are some of my best friends in and out of the pool, and we have grown so close over the last four years. I look forward to sharing our future successes together and I am so grateful to have gone through this experience with them all.
Describe the feeling going into your last home dual meet. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
LPB: It is very bittersweet closing this chapter of my life because I have been competitively swimming since I was 5 years old, but I am very excited for the future and very grateful for the relationships I have built through swimming.
What will you miss the most about Lehigh Swimming and Diving?
LPB: I will miss the people the most and being a part of a team. This team is full of amazing people and it was very special getting to see everyone each day.
What are your postgraduate plans?
LPB: I will be working as an assurance associate for PwC in New York.
Autumn Shaffer – Arts and Sciences – Denver, Pa. – Garden Spot
What's your favorite Lehigh Swimming and Diving memory up to this point? Why
AS: My favorite LUSD memory is of my first Lehigh-Lafayette meet freshman year. Although I don't remember any specific times or places, I will always remember the energy our team brought to the meet and the overwhelming support from LUSD alumni.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
AS: Our senior class is like one big family. Even though we will be graduating and going in different directions soon, I'm sure we will remain in touch for years to come.
Describe the feeling going into your last home dual meet. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
AS: It's a bittersweet feeling reaching the end of my swimming career. I know I'll miss the sport and my teammates, but at the same time I'm beyond excited for what my future will hold.
What will you miss the most about Lehigh Swimming and Diving?
AS: I will miss being challenged alongside my teammates every day to become a better version of myself both in and out of the pool.
What are your postgraduate plans?
AS: After graduation I plan on working as an environmental consultant.
Nicole Shek – Business – Mount Laurel, N.J. – Lenape
What's your favorite Lehigh Swimming and Diving memory up to this point? Why
NS: My favorite Lehigh swimming and diving memory is when I had the opportunity to be on the 200 medley relay at the Patriot League Championships as a freshman. The relay was so special because it consisted of primarily upperclassman who were performing in their last collegiate meet ever. I had the best experience representing the Mountain Hawks at my first collegiate championship meet.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
NS: Within the last 4 years, I was able to create strong relationships with my teammates in my class that will last a lifetime.
Describe the feeling going into your last home dual meet. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
NS: Going into my last home meet is definitely bittersweet. I love this sport and the people I have met along the way. I will miss the feeling of walking into Jacobs pool and competing alongside my teammates. Swimming is such a big part of my life and always will be.
What will you miss the most about Lehigh Swimming and Diving?
NS: I will miss the feeling of competition and the excitement of the team atmosphere. I will also miss the team oriented aspect of swimming the most.
What are your postgraduate plans?
NS: After graduating in May, I will be continuing my education while pursuing my Master's Degree in Accounting beginning in the Fall of 2020.
Marissa Wagner – Engineering – Toms River, N.J. – Toms River East
What's your favorite Lehigh Swimming and Diving memory up to this point? Why
MW: Training trip freshman year in Naples, Florida is my favorite memory of being on the Lehigh Swim and Dive team because we all became so close as a team. I specifically remember playing the game "mafia" around the fire pit every night with the whole team and having so much fun.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
MW: Being with the same people for four years you really get to know everyone. We have always been a really close class and will truly miss everyone when we graduate.
Describe the feeling going into your last home dual meet. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
MW: Going into the last home meet ever, I tried to really experience the meet and take moments to look up at the stands and realize that was the last time being on deck. It was both exciting and sad realizing that my swimming career was coming to an end. Being done with my swimming career has caused me to look back at all I've accomplished and to really be proud of my 16 years of commitment to the sport. I have no regrets and wouldn't change a thing!
What will you miss the most about Lehigh Swimming and Diving?
MW: The one thing I will miss most about swimming at Lehigh will be seeing all my friends every single day at practice.
What are your postgraduate plans?
MW: I plan on working for a biomedical device company or some other company within the medical industry.
Players Mentioned
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Back/Fly/IM
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Breast/IM
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