Swimming Announces Initial Recruiting Class
RINDGE, N.H. (September 22, 2017) – The Franklin Pierce University women’s swimming program is proud to announce its first-ever recruiting class, consisting of 11 newcomers who signed with the program over the course of the winter and spring of 2016-17. The class represents nine different states, and will make up the bulk of the team’s roster when it begins competition in the coming weeks.
Making up the program’s initial recruiting class are: Nicole McIntosh (North Pole, Alaska), Josephine Krysinski (Olympia, Wash.), Emalee Frady (Anaheim, Calif.), Maggie Miller (Northampton, Mass.), Emma Mousette (Pembroke, Mass.), Danielle Ward (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Emily DeVivo (Berlin, Conn.), Bridget Mulvey (Staten Island, N.Y.), Caitlin Henderson (Waterford, Conn.), Mary Messina (Rindge, N.H.) and Tiffany Graham (Burleson, Texas).
“This is a group that should learn quickly and be able to develop nicely over the next few years,” said head coach Brian Fazzino. “They all seem to be very excited to be the first class, and look forward to the challenges ahead to establish the Franklin Pierce name in the swimming community. We will be looking forward to seeing how fast they develop and how quickly they become a team.”
McIntosh will be the “veteran” of the bunch, as she began her time at Franklin Pierce as a freshman in the second semester of the 2016-17 academic year. Competing in the backstroke and butterfly, she comes to the Ravens after being ranked 18th in the state of Alaska in high school. Already a leader on campus, McIntosh is currently serving as the co-chair of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
“Nicole was the very first one to take a chance on Franklin Pierce as a swim program, and she did so without any other teammates,” said Fazzino. “I am going to look to her to help lead the young team, as she has already been on campus and knows Franklin Pierce.”
A long-distance freestyler, Krysinski comes to Rindge after being ranked 131st in the state of Washington. She competed at the high school level for Black Hills High School.
“I look forward to seeing her develop even more while she is here at Franklin Pierce,” said Fazzino. “I think in a couple of years, it will look like a steal for us to have had her come here.”
Frady may be the most versatile of the bunch, and is another West Coaster headed for Franklin Pierce. She will compete in the 400 individual medley and the 200 butterfly, but also has experience as a long-distance freestyler.
“Emalee is eager to help this team, and she will be one of the go-to girls to help establish our team atmosphere,” said Fazzino. “She has bought into the concept of a new team, and that was one of the main factors in her deciding on Franklin Pierce.”
Miller was a three-time finalist at the Massachusetts Western Sectional Meet while competing for Northampton High School. Ranked 74th in Massachusetts, she competes in the butterfly, as well as the sprint-distance freestyle events.
“Maggie brings some experience to the team, coming from a fairly good high school program,” said Fazzino. “She has a chance to score at the NE10 Championship meet as a freshman.”
Mousette brings some much-needed age and experience to a team which will largely be transitioning to college life for the first time, as she is a junior transfer from Massasoit Community College. Another versatile competitor, she will compete in the breaststroke, the butterfly and individual medley.
“Transferring in as a junior, she is older and has already been through much of what the freshmen will go through in their first year,” said Fazzino. “I am going to lean heavily on Emma as an older swimmer on a very young team.”
Ward was ranked just outside the top-200 in her home state, checking in at 202nd in the Rocky Mountain State. She will compete for the Ravens in the breaststroke.
“Danielle is very engaging and should help bring fun and team-building qualities to our squad,” said Fazzino. “She is smart, hard-working, sincere, and a high-quality individual.”
DeVivo comes to Franklin Pierce after putting in a post-grad year at Cheshire Academy in Connecticut. She is expected to compete in the backstroke.
“Emily is going to be a valuable resource for the other freshmen on our team,” said Fazzino. “After her post-grad year, she will provide a teammate who has already spent time living in dorms and being away from home.”
Competing in the freestyle at the sprint distances, Mulvey is another swimmer who will be staying closer to her roots in the Northeast while joining the Ravens. She swam at the high school level for Curtis High School on Staten Island.
“Bridget has a very easy-going personality, that I believe will help bring everyone on our team together,” said Fazzino. “She is another one who could develop really well in a collegiate environment.”
Henderson, who will compete in the breaststroke and the individual medley, previously finished sixth in the Connecticut State Championship meet. She has been ranked as high as 114th in the Nutmeg State.
“Caitlin is another very experienced swimmer, who has had success in high school,” said Fazzino. “She could sneak into a scoring position at the NE10 Championship as a freshman.”
Messina, the Rindge native, will bring the local flavor to the program’s roster. She attended school across the border in Massachusetts, at North Middlesex Regional High School, and trained at Mount Wachusett Community College, which will serve as the Ravens’ home pool. Ranked 86th in Massachusetts, Messina will compete in the butterfly and sprint freestyle events.
“Mary grew up right down the street and went to school in Massachusetts,” said Fazzino. “She swims big when it counts, and steps up in a big way at championship meets, and will be bringing that with her to Franklin Pierce.”
The final recruit of the group to sign, Graham joins the Ravens from the Lone Star State, where she swam for Burleson High School. She will compete for Franklin Pierce in sprint freestyle events.
“Tiffany was a pleasant surprise for us, and an exciting addition to the team,” said Fazzino. “She helps finalize our sprint freestyle relays, and is another girl who could really be impressive in a couple of years.”
The Ravens will open their inaugural season on Saturday, Sept. 30, when they travel to fellow NE10 member Merrimack for a dual meet.
For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu). Also be sure to follow the Ravens through the Department of Athletics’ official Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/FranklinPierceRavens), its YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/franklinpiercesports) and its Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/FPUathletics). Fans wishing to purchase Franklin Pierce swimming apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics’ online store (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu/store).