Discovering the Ivy League Gem: A Journey Through Princeton University

PRINCETON, N.J.- The Princeton Women’s Swimming & Diving squad is making a return to competition to commence 2025. The Tigers are coming off a runner-up position at the Big Al Invitational and a dual-meet victory against Columbia that concluded the previous year before the holiday intermission. Now, this team is set to compete against Kenyon College and Navy at DeNunzio Pool. The contest will occur from Jan. 10-11. Events on Friday will begin at 5:00 PM, while Saturday’s events are scheduled for 11:00 AM.

Senior Tribute

On Saturday, prior to the last day’s events, the team will celebrate its six-member Class of 2025, which includes Emily Appleton, Isabella Korbly, Ela Noble, Francesca Noviello, Alexa Pappas, and Maddie Seltzer. This group has contributed to consecutive Ivy League championships during their tenure at Princeton.

Kenyon Link

The head coach, Abby Brethauer, is a graduate of Kenyon College, where she was a four-year participant on the women’s swimming & diving team. Brethauer was part of three NCAA Championship teams, achieved All-American honors 13 times, and established a national record at the NCAA Division III level. This competition marks the first meeting between the two teams since the 2004-2005 season.

Sun Shines Brightly

Eleanor Sun set the first pool record of the season for Princeton at the Battle for the Cannon Trophy against Rutgers. The sophomore recorded a time of 1:59.51 in the 200 IM, establishing a new standard for that event.

Relay Dominance

Princeton has dominated the 200 freestyle relays in each of the three meets to kick off the season. The Tigers have also secured two victories in the 200 medley relay and swept the 400 and 800 freestyle relays at the Big Al Invitational.

2023-24 NCAA Qualifiers

The Tigers feature four swimmers and three divers who participated in the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships. Dakota Tucker competed in three events: the 200 individual medley, 400 individual medley, and the 200 breaststroke. Eleanor Sun joined Tucker in the 200 IM and 400 IM, and also swam the 200 butterfly. Sabrina Johnston participated in the 50 and 100 freestyle events. Heidi Smithwick completes the swimmer roster and competed in the 200 butterfly.

Charlotte Martinkus, Francesca Noviello, and Maddie Seltzer represented Princeton in diving. Seltzer competed on all three boards, while Noviello and Martinkus participated on the 1-meter and 3-meter boards.

All-Ivy Recognition

Princeton earned three significant Ivy League accolades and was recognized as First Team All-Ivy in 11 events and Second Team in eight events.

Head coach Abby Brethauer was awarded Coach of the Year, Dakota Tucker received High Point Swimmer of the Meet honors, and Ellie Marquardt ’24 was honored as Career High Point Swimmer.

Ring ring!

The 2023-24 season was marked by Princeton’s 25th Ivy League Championship Title and their second consecutive win. The Tigers accumulated a total of 1403 points throughout the meet.

Olympic Aspirations

Dakota Tucker (South Africa), Heidi Smithwick (United States), Eleanor Sun (United States), and Donata Katai (Zimbabwe) sought qualifications for the 2024 Paris Olympics during this past summer by competing at the Olympic trials.

New Additions At DeNunzio

The Princeton women’s swimming and diving team welcomed six newcomers to the squad as part of the Class of 2028. Maggie Squire, Charlotte Norman, Jenna Walters, Natalie Farquhar, Nicole DePree, and Katherine White will make their debut this weekend for the Tigers.