BEREA, Ohio – The Baldwin Wallace University women's swimming and diving team is ready to race to the top of the Ohio Athletic Conference in 2020-2021 with many of newcomers.
11-year head coach Laura Wolff-Demaline returns a total of 12 letter winners including four All-OAC performers. The yellow jackets were only able to compete in five meets last year. The team will be returning this season to race in 13 meets.
"Our staff could not be more excited about the team we have to work with this year. We have so many motivated, and hardworking individuals in the pool- coupled with the leadership of our upperclassmen we really think we have found a recipe for success." Wolff-Demaline said. "Last year we worked hard to be grateful for every opportunity we had in a shortened, COVID season - however this year we can put together a full season plan and we can't wait to see where this group will be in February."
The women's squad that features three senior, five juniors, four sophomores and seven newcomers will be led by senior All-OAC and four-time OAC Champion backstroke and freestyler Bella Ratino (Mentor/Hawken). Ratino returns from breaking two of her career-bestsin 20-yard backstroke and 200-yard freestyle. She remains the school-record holder in the 200-yard backstroke, 400-yard individual medley and 500-yard, 1000-yard and 1650-yard freestyles. Ratino is also a member of the school-record holding 800-yard freestyle relay team.
In addition to Ratino, senior freestyler Kayla McClintock (Venetia, Pa. /Peters Township) and Emily Newcamp (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills) returned as they continue to break personal records.
McClintock, three-year letterwinner, had a career-best in 50-yard freestyle of a time of 26.63. Newcamp, also three-year letterwinner, received Academic All-Ohio Athletic Conference selection. She also had two career-bests in the 50-yard and 200-yard freestyle.
Junior Academic All-Ohio Athletic Conference selection Aubrey Syron (Dayton / Archbishop Alter), Academic All-OAC selection LynnDee Popovich (Middleburg Heights / Reichelshelm Academy), All-OAC Julia Newbould (Strongsville) and Academic All-OAC selection Natalie Kehoe (Parma / Padua Franciscan) all have gained experience and will be looking to have a major impact this season.
Newcomers in junior Samantha Starkey (Bellefontaine), freshmen Jena Parks (Geneva / Madison), Athena Pantoja (Ashtabula / Lakeside), Kalie Lewis (Oregon / Clay), Mattie Hicks (Oneida), Claire Fischer (Cincinnati / Mercy McAuley), Brooklyn Duguay (Aurora) and Mallory Dondorfer (Mentor) look to make waves this season.
BW opens the 2020-21 campaign on Saturday, Oct. 16 when the Yellow Jackets host Wilmington for the first home meet, inside the BW Natatorium.
