NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The Yale swimming and diving team will welcome a talented class of newcomers to the roster this season. All bring strong credentials both in and out of the pool.
Here is a closer look at the men's and women's Class of 2026:
Lilly Derivaux
Haddonfield, N.J.
Haddonfield Memorial High School
Before Yale: Haddonfield Memorial High School record holder in the 100 butterfly, 100 freestyle, 500 freestyle, 200 IM, 200 freestyle relay and 400 freestyle relay… Named All-South Jersey First Team in 500 freestyle… Earned second team All-South Jersey honors in 100 butterfly… Helped lead Haddonfield to back-to-back state championships in her first year and sophomore seasons… Swam for the Jersey Wahoos and has 31 total club records… Swam an Olympic Trials qualifying time in the 200 butterfly… 2020 USA Swimming Scholastic All American.
Personal: Father swam at Lafayette.
Why Yale? "I chose Yale for the opportunities that would come from its world class academics and very strong swim team."
Ele Donegan
Bangor, Northern Ireland
Our Lady and St. Patrick's College Knock
Before Yale: Awarded Swimmer of the School in 2021 at Our Lady and St. Patrick's College Knock… School record holder in 50, 100 and 200 butterfly SCM and LCM… Ulster Schools Champion in 100 freestyle and 100m butterfly… Swam for Larne Swimming Club… Senior Irish champion in 100 and 200 butterfly and 400 freestyle… Senior Ulster champion in 100 and 200 butterfly and 400 freestyle… Irish junior record holder as part of Junior National team in the 4x100 and 4x200 freestyle relays.
Personal: Spent a large portion of gap year campaigning with Homeless Period Belfast and eventually working directly with Northern Irish (NI) politicians to pass legislation to commit the NI government to providing free period products in all public buildings. The bill was passed by the Northern Irish government on International Women's Day in 2022… Mother represented Northern Ireland in the Commonwealth games for Judo and uncle is a double Olympian in Judo.
Why Yale? "Because yes it is the perfect combination of high performance in academics and athletics, but it is also home to the most insightful, diverse and caring community of people who will change the way you look at the world for the better."
Lily Horenkamp
West Chester, Pa.
Reed Henderson High School
Before Yale: All-America diver at Reed Henderson High School… Holds six diving school records… Competed for RipFest, which placed sixth on 1 meter at USA Diving Junior Nationals.
Why Yale? "I chose Yale because of the people and the opportunity it would give me. I knew that Yale would have amazing people, but I didn't recognize how special everyone is here until I decided to come. This is the place I knew my diving and academic career would flourish."
Sydney Kang
Meriden, Conn.
Phillips Exeter Academy
Before Yale: Three-time team MVP at Phillips Exeter Academy… School record holder in 200 IM relay, 200 freestyle, 200 IM, 50 freestyle, 100 butterfly, 200 freestyle relay and 400 freestyle relay… Three-time All-America selection… Named New England Outstanding Swimmer of the Year in 2020 and 2021… Swam on SOLO Aquatics, a level 2 bronze medal club.
Personal: Volunteered at her old middle school, assisting teachers.
Why Yale? "Because I love the team culture and the special bond that the swimmers have. It is inspiring to be surrounded by such driven and team goal-oriented people."
Paige Lai
Menlo Park, Calif.
Castelleja School
Before Yale: Earned 2021 All-America recognition at the Castelleja School… Placed third in diving at the 2022 state championship… Two-time sectional champion… Competed for the Stanford Diving Club… Four-time national finalist, placing fifth off 1-meter board in 2022, fifth off the tower in 2021, sixth off the tower in 2022 and 11
th off the tower in 2017.
Personal: Co-founder of Caselleja's chapter of Planned Parenthood activism club… Tutored children in Chinese and math to bridge the gap of virtual learning… Co-president of school's Chinese + Affinity Group.
Why Yale? "Because of not only the unparalleled academic and athletic opportunities, but also because of the incredibly strong team bond and culture. I'm so excited to be a part of such a unified and driven group of people, and I'm looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish this season and beyond. Boola boola!!"
Jessey Li
Mason, Ohio
Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy
Before Yale: Two-time state champion, three-time state runner up at Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy… 2022 state championship Performer of the Meet… State record holder in the 100 breaststroke… Five time district champion… Holds 10 high school records… Three-time Miami Valley Conference Athlete of the Year… MVC record holder in the 50 and 100 freestyles, 100 breaststroke and 200 IM… Four-time MVX All-Academic team selection… Helped Cincinnati Hills to a third-place team finish in Ohio… Swam for Mason Manta Rays club program, which was ranked fourth nationally… 2021 Olympic Trials qualifier.
Personal: Senior Athlete Representative (Athlete Committee Chair) for Ohio Swimming Inc…. Started her own student organized service group, Storytime Connect, making YouTube videos for elementary students and held zoom sessions to help entertain children and help with their English and reading comprehension.
Why Yale? "Before I stepped on campus, I felt like I was already a part of the team. The swim and dive team is truly a family, and it's very evident that anyone can pursue any interest at Yale with more than enough support and resources to achieve their goals both in and out of the pool and classroom."
Caroline McCurdy
Wellesley, Mass.
Wellesley High School
Before Yale: Didn't swim for high school… Gator Swim Club record holder in multiple events… USA Swimming Scholastic All American… 2019 US Swimming Zone Select Camp attendee… US Open/Summer Juniors Qualifier… Finalist at Winter Junior Nationals… Swam for Phoenix Swimming in 2021-2022… Phoenix women's team placed first at New England SCY Seniors… Qualified for Summer Junior Nationals and US Open… First in 50 free, and third in 200 free and 200 IM and 100 free at NE Seniors 2021.
Personal: Team Captain of the Gator Swim Club Swim Across America Relay fundraiser which raised over $15,000 one year for cancer… Part of a community service group for six years that volunteered time at organizations such as Heading Home, Cradles to Crayons, Rosie's Place, Harvest Food Pantry, Room to Grow.
Why Yale? "Because of the unparalleled academics and athletics, and the constant motivation and dogged leadership portrayed by the team. Ever since I stepped on campus, I have been welcomed by the most incredible, driven people who I am positive will inspire me to become a better athlete and student. I can't wait for the next four years! Boola boola!"
MEN
Lucius Brown
San Diego, Calif.
Bishop's School
Before Yale: Bishop's School record holder in the 50 and 100 freestyle… All-America selection in the 50 freestyle and multiple relays… San Diego CIF champion in the 50 and 100 freestyles… High School Boy's Student Athlete of the Year… Helped Bishop's to San Diego CIF Boy's DII team championships as a first year and a junior… Swam for Coronado Swim – Team Elite, which finished third at the Winter Junior National Championships… Placed third in 50 free and was part of second-place 200 medley relay at Winter Nationals.
Personal: Worked 80 hours of community service in junior lifeguards… Habitat for Humanity volunteer… Worked La Jolla Junior Olympic events.
Why Yale? "I chose Yale for the world-class education and the awesome connection I had with the coaches. I'm excited to face the challenges of balancing school and athletics that all student-athletes have at Yale."
Jose Cano
Tijuana, Mexico
Lazaro Cardenas Federal High School
Before Yale: Mexico national champion in the 400, 800 and 1500 freestyle… Swam for Rosarito Nadadores Club, one of the top club teams in Mexico… Selection to Mexico's Junior and National team.
Personal: Father was part of selection committee for Mexican national baseball team.
Why Yale? "Because of its amazing school and swimming program and the amazing people that are part of the swim and dive team."
Nicholas Chau
South Pasadena, Calif.
South Pasadena High School
Before Yale: Three-time All-American at South Pasadena High School… Two-time Rio Hondo League diving champion… Selected Diver of the Year three times… Two-time CIF Division 2 Champion… Placed sixth at CIF State Championship… Competed for Pacific Diving Academy and was a five-time national qualifier… National finalist twice and an eight-time national semi finalist.
Why Yale? "I chose Yale because it cultivates an environment of academic and athletic excellence. When I first stepped foot on campus, I knew this would be home away from home with a new family."
Finn Henry
Guilford, Conn.
Guilford High School
Before Yale: Three-time all-state selection at Guilford High School… Part of the state champion 4x50 freestyle relay team… Competed for Bulldog Swimming Club and is the team record holder in the 500, 1000 and 1650 freestyles.
Personal: Father swam at the University of Texas and mother swam at the University of Kansas.
Why Yale? "I selected Yale for the world class academics and high achievement in athletics."
Alexander Hazlett
Greenwich, Conn.
Brunswick School
Before Yale: Twenty-two time All-American at the Brunswick School… Holds four NEPSAC league records… Named Swimmer of the Meet at the NEPSAC Championships… Independent School national record holder in 200 and 400 freestyle relays… Swam for Greenwich YMCA Dolphins.
Personal: Father, Bert Hazlett, was captain of the 1987 Yale men's swimming and diving team… Sister Kate swims at Harvard.
Why Yale? "Because of the amazing team atmosphere and the amazing coaches that are building this program for success. The academics at this institution are the best in the world and will help me greatly develop in the classroom."
Jack Maketa
Perkasie, Pa.
Germantown Academy
Before Yale: Germantown Academy record holder in the 100 butterfly, 100 backstroke, 200 medley relay and 400 freestyle relay… Inter-Academic League MVP in 2021-22… Two-year varsity team captain… Four-time scholastic All-American… Helped Germantown win combined Eastern Swimming Championship… Team went undefeated in Inter-Academic League in 2022… Swam for Germantown Academy Aquatic Club and was a Junior National team member.
Why Yale? "Because of its amazing academic resources, caring coaches, welcoming team, and unparalleled opportunity."
Nareg Minassian
Newton, Mass.
Newton North High School
Before Yale: Four-time Scholastic All-American at Newton North High School… Swam for Crimson Aquatics in Boston.
Personal: Helped children with Rhett Syndrome swim… Worked with the Armenian Youth Federation to support Armenians in need.
Why Yale? "I chose Yale because of the elite academics, the tightknit swim team, and the diverse and welcoming community of Yale students. Through hard work and perseverance, I hope to find my passion academically and excel in the pool."
Tommy Park
Santa Clarita, Calif.
Harvard Westlake
Before Yale: Harvard Westlake record holder in 200 IM, 200 medley relay and 200 and 400 freestyle relays… Finished second in the 200 IM at the 2022 CIF state championship meet… Gold Easterns Scholastic champion in the 200 IM… Swam for Rose Bowl Aquatics, placing third in the 100 backstroke at the 2022 Speedo Sectionals… Helped club win 2022 Speedo Race Series and Speedo Winter Junior Championships.
Why Yale? "I selected Yale because of the prestige associated with it, and the unparalleled educational and athletic opportunities attending this university would afford me. I looked forward to joining Yale's leading swim program and help the Bulldogs achieve victory!"
Jack Saber
Salt Lake City, Utah
Olympus High School
Before Yale: NISCA All American (100 breaststroke, 200 medley relay, 200 freestyle relay, 400 freestyle relay) at Olympus High School… Holds two Utah High School Swimming state records… Seven-time Utah 5A state champion… Utah Scholastic All-American… Helped Olympus win three state championships… Swam for Olympus Aquatics, where he was the Utah 15/16 100 breast state record holder and a seven-time Utah state record holder… Summer Junior National Qualifier in the 100 and 200 breaststroke… Toyota US Open qualifier in 200 breaststroke.
Personal: Did independent research with environmental science professor investigating nanoparticles and their effect on remediating oil spills… Developed a sustainable and reusable model to capture spilled oil with neodymium magnets… Founded a non-profit organization that raised money for charitable contributions to the India Paralympic Swimming Federation and India Wheelchair Basketball League… Raised over $1,500 in 2020-2021 supporting organizations.
Why Yale? "I chose Yale for the superior academics and outstanding swimming program. Yale's culture breeds excellence. I am honored to join such a prestigious community."
