NEW HAVEN, Conn. - The Class of 2021 has certainly left its mark on the Yale swimming & diving program. Divers Brigita Burgess, Christian DeVol, Timmy Luz and Nikki Watters along with swimmers Hanna Blankemeier, Nathalie Eid, Patrick Frith, Tyler Harmon, Charlotte Hylinski, Jonathan Liao, Claire O'Mara, Sam Pekarek, Cate Sawkins, Tim Dorje Wu and Caitlin Tycz have all made significant contributions both in and out of the pool over the last four years.
 
Included among the 15 seniors are Ivy League champions and school record holders. In three seasons, the Yale women lost only one dual-race and had a pair of second-place Ivy League finishes, while the men posted an 18-9 dual-meet record, including a victory over Princeton for the first time in more than 16 years, and twice placed third at the Ivy League Championship. In addition, the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) has selected the Yale men's and women's swimming and diving teams for Scholar All-American honors in each of their seasons.
 
"It is difficult to put into words my respect and admiration for the Yale Swimming & Diving Class of 2021," said Jim Henry, the Robert J.H. Kiphuth Head Coach of the men's and women's program. "We are all so proud of how they have handled a very challenging senior year. The resiliency and class displayed by these 15 student-athletes over the last 13 months has been remarkable. I am proud of all this humble, kind, optimistic, competitive, hard-working, overachieving group has accomplished in their time at Yale. The Class of 2021 set multiple records, won multiple Ivy individual titles, had an NCAA All-American, all while excelling in the classroom with a better than 3.75 combined GPA. Most of all, though, they remained composed and succeeded virtually without ever a complaint. I look forward to the day when I can give them a handshake and a hug to truly thank them for all they have meant to Yale Swimming & Diving."
 
The four divers were among the most successful in school history. DeVol earned All-America honors in 2020 after winning the Ivy League championship on both the 1 and 3-meter boards. Watters also was an Ivy champion, winning the 1 and 3-meter titles as a first year.
 
"These senior divers have been amazing to work with, and I'm a better person for having had the privilege of getting to know them," said Lindsay Iordache, Yale's diving coach. "Their drive, dedication and leadership, both in and out of the pool, is an amazing legacy that has had such a positive effect on this team. They will continue to be a source of motivation for years to come. Their grace and positivity during this difficult year has been inspiring to all. They will be sorely missed and will always have a home here at Yale!"
 
In addition, Frith and Sawkins, the 2020-21 team captains, both provided outstanding leadership under difficult circumstances.
 
"Cate & Patrick had the very tough task of keeping this team together despite not having a season," Henry said. "It wasn't always easy, but they never veered from their mission of finding solutions to overcoming adversity. They were the glue that kept us moving forward. We are all grateful for everything they have done for Yale Swimming & Diving."
 
The team held an emotional virtual zoom celebration for the seniors and their parents on Wednesday night, and two awards were announced.
 
The Eleanor "Bobby" Dawson Award, given to the women have contributed immeasurably to Yale Swimming & Diving by their dedication & personal achievements, was presented to Cate Sawkins and Nikki Watters.
 
Christian DeVol and Patrick Frith were the recipients of the Phillip Moriarty Award, established by the Yale Swimming & Diving Association in honor of Yale and U.S. Olympic Coach Phillip Moriarty.