John Jay’s women’s swim team wrapped up their 2023-2024 season on February 4th, the third and final day of the City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) championship, at Lehman College.
The team, under the leadership of Head Coach Miguel Escalante and Assistant Coaches Dexter Tucker and Anika Amdahl, finished the season with five wins and six losses.
Captain Adriana Guzman, a Masters student at John Jay, noted that this was the best season that she has experienced in her past four years on the team.
“We got a lot of people who were not only really dedicated but really made you feel at ease and like you belong,” she explained. “Our coaches have not only pushed us but tried to get us to reach the goals we set for ourselves when we first started.”
Freshman forensic science major, Grace Driver, who appeared on the John Jay Athletic Department’s Semester Scholar Athletes List for maintaining a 4.0 GPA in the Fall ‘23 semester, echoed the camaraderie and support she experienced on the team.
“I joined the swim team because I missed swimming, but I did not miss the pressure and toxic culture of swim team environments. Being a Division 3 school, though, I hoped the environment would be a lot nicer. This swim team was the kindest I’ve ever been on!” said Driver.
The team also shared some fond memories and bonding activities on the road to the championships.
Victoria Hapsis, a freshman sprinter recruited on to the team during her senior year of high school, recalled some of her season highlights, including a “memorable halloween practice, post-practice meals, and rejuvenating naps.”
First-year graduate student Gloria Glenn elaborated on these events, noting that the team “frequently ate food and took naps together, which created a strong bond between [the] team members.”
The team met most of their success at the CUNYACs, coming in fourth overall and achieving twenty-seven personal best times, four season bests, and six medals.
Notable wins included junior Miranda Perez’s first-place win in the 50-yard freestyle, her second consecutive win in this event. She also earned first place in the 100-yard breaststroke, second place in the 200-yard freestyle relay, and third place in the 100-yard freestyle.
The 200-yard freestyle relay, along with her other wins, earned Perez conference recognition as one of the 2023-34 Swimming All Stars alongside team members Cami Achury, also recognized for her success in the 400-yard individual medley, Victoria Hapsis, and Anna Moody. Moody was also named to the Sportsmanship Team.
Their placement at the championships has left the team in high hopes for next season. Captain Guzman also shared words of encouragement for any students considering trying out for the team. “If anyone is ever thinking about trying out swimming, but think it’s either too much for them or they’re not good, they’ll be surprised with how at times this sport not only chooses you but becomes a staple in your life,” said Guzman.
