Swimming and Diving: Get to Know the Blue Devils
CCSU athletics is rolling out a new series to "Get to Know the Blue Devils." Despite sports competition being suspended during the fall season, CCSU student-athletes continue to succeed in the classroom and have an impact in the community. Through a series of questions and answers, CCSU fans and supporters can become familiar with many of the Blue Devils' student-athletes and learn who their favorite athletes are, what talents they have, bucket list goals and other interesting tidbits away from the field of competition.
This will be an ongoing feature throughout the semester, check back on our social media channels and at CCSUBlueDevils.com for updates.
Abigail Keane | Fr. | Wethersfield, CT
Major: Elementary Education
Why did you choose CCSU?
I choose CCSU because the team was very welcoming and I bonded really well with them right when I got here.
What are you most looking forward to accomplishing at CCSU?
I hope to succeed in swimming and achieve all my goals while keeping with my school work.
Who is your inspiration and why?
My inspiration is my grandma, she goes through so much and still keeps her head up.
What is the best advice you've ever received?
When you feel like quitting at something remember why you started
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Going all state my senior year of high school in swimming
What are your future plans?
I hope to become a special education in the future
What is one thing you learned about yourself during the pandemic?
find happiness in everything you do even when it's not that exciting
Who is your favorite athlete to watch and why?
Katie Ledecky because of how hard she works and how amazing she does in all of her races to beat her own records over and over.
What's at the top of your bucket list of things to do?
Travel the world
Do you have a favorite quote?
Just keep swimming
Who would play you in a movie about yourself?
Blake Lively
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Watermelon
What is your favorite childhood TV show?
Wizards of Waverley Place
What is the most ridiculous fact you know?
You burn more calories frowning then when you smile
What superpower would you like to have?
Invisibility
What would be your spirit animal?
Zebra
Who is your favorite musical artist?
Kanye West
Kaylin McMahon | Jr. | Norton, MA
Major: Exercise Science
Why did you choose CCSU?
Competitive swim program and close to home
What are you most looking forward to accomplishing at CCSU?
A diploma! And win NECs!
Who is your inspiration and why?
My mom because she never stops working hard
What are your future plans?
Nutritionist
What is one thing you learned about yourself during the pandemic?
I love cooking and creating things
What's at the top of your bucket list of things to do?
Travel the world
Besides playing your sport, do you have any other talents?
Singing in the shower
Do you have a favorite quote?
"I am Groot"
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Ice cream
What superpower would you like to have?
Flight
What would be your spirit animal?
Whale
Who is your favorite musical artist?
Chance the Rapper
Alex Lindgren | Jr. | Northbridge, MA
Major: Biology
What are your future plans?
To travel, enjoy life, and find a job I enjoy
What's at the top of your bucket list of things to do?
Travel the country
Do you have a favorite quote?
Never give up
What would be your spirit animal?
Elephant
Elizabeth Brown | Fr. | Waterbury, CT
Major: Exercise Science
Why did you choose CCSU?
My whole family attended CCSU so I enjoyed the feeling of comfort
What are you most looking forward to accomplishing at CCSU?
Surviving winter training
Who is your inspiration and why?
My sister, she is a senior on the swim team. She is the only person in her class on the team, and someone she has gone all four years with a positive attitude and never lost her motivation. I couldn't imagine being the only freshman on the team.
What is the best advice you've ever received?
Work hard, improve.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Being a part of a Division I program
What is one thing you learned about yourself during the pandemic?
I'm a great baker
Who is your favorite athlete to watch and why?
Abbey Keane and Ashley Calderon, both freshmen on the swim team. They both swim hard events that I would never be able to do and they make it look so effortless.
Do you have a favorite quote?
"It's okay if you don't like me, not everyone has good taste."
Who would play you in a movie about yourself?
I would play myself
What is your favorite childhood TV show?
Drake and Josh
What is the most ridiculous fact you know?
Naps could save your life
What superpower would you like to have?
Mind control
What would be your spirit animal?
A turtle
Who is your favorite musical artist?
Grateful Dead
Katherine Czulewicz | Jr. | Norwalk, CT
Major: Marketing
Why did you choose CCSU?
I felt very welcome from the beginning
What are you most looking forward to accomplishing at CCSU?
I am looking forward to winning NECs with my team
Who is your inspiration and why?
My inspiration is my team because they are all so strong and encouraging
What are your future plans?
I would like to get a career in social media marketing
Who is your favorite athlete to watch and why?
My favorite athlete to watch is Katie Ledecky
What's at the top of your bucket list of things to do?
Travel through Europe
Do you have a favorite quote?
"Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard"
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Chipotle
What superpower would you like to have?
Teleportation
What would be your spirit animal?
Golden Retriever
Who is your favorite musical artist?
Juice WRLD
Shannon Welcome | So. | Freeport, NY
Major: Civil Engineering
Why did you choose CCSU?
The family atmosphere
What are you most looking forward to accomplishing at CCSU?
Graduating
Who is your inspiration and why?
My parents, because they are not from the US and worked hard for what they have and earned
What is the best advice you've ever received?
You owe it to yourself to become everything you ever dreamed of
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Getting above a 3.5 GPA during a global pandemic
What are your future plans?
Moving to New york and working some where in the civil engineering
What is one thing you learned about yourself during the pandemic?
That I work best at night time
Who is your favorite athlete to watch and why?
Simone Manuel, because shes apart of US history, and continues to make examples for African-American woman and other woman in swimming
What's at the top of your bucket list of things to do?
To learn Dutch
Do you have a favorite quote?
Closed mouths don't get fed
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Doubles
What is your favorite childhood TV show?
Avatar the last air bender
What superpower would you like to have?
Invisibility
What would be your spirit animal?
Sloth
Ava Santacroce | Fr. | North Haven, CT
Major: Criminology
Why did you choose CCSU?
I chose CCSU because I feel like I am at home when I am here and I really had an interested in the academic program for my major and for the swim and dive team.
Is there anything interesting about you that you would like us to know?
I was on honor roll every term from middle school to the end of high school, I have excellent achievements for high school diving
What are you most looking forward to accomplishing at CCSU?
I am looking forward to accomplishing a stellar collegiate diving career and staying on a good road for my academics.
Who is your inspiration and why?
My inspiration is my mom because she is an extremely hard worker and works hard to help all of her kids achieve their goals whether its in a classroom or playing a sport.
What is the best advice you've ever received?
You do not need to be a perfectionist at everything you do.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
My most proudest accomplishment is becoming the first diver for my town to ever win the Southern Connecticut Conference meet.
What are your future plans?
I am going to get my bachelors degree in criminology, go to law school and become a District Attorney one day
What is one thing you learned about yourself during the pandemic?
One thing I have learned during quarantine is that I like to be active and doing things instead of just sitting around all day. I never realized that until I could not do anything for a while.
Who is your favorite athlete to watch and why?
My favorite athlete to watch is Simone Biles because as a gymnast you think she has done it all then she shocks the world with even more and becoming the best gymnast in history.
What's at the top of your bucket list of things to do?
To travel the world
Do you have a favorite quote?
"Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will"
Who would play you in a movie about yourself?
Emma Watson
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Tacos
What is your favorite childhood TV show?
Hannah Montana
What is the most ridiculous fact you know?
Gelatin is made out of animal bones
What superpower would you like to have?
To be read peoples minds
What would be your spirit animal?
Giraffe
Who is your favorite musical artist?
Luke Combs
Morgan O'Hara | Fr. | North Easton, MA
Major: Pre-Nursing
Why did you choose CCSU?
I chose CCSU because it fit both my academic and athletic needs. I loved the swim girls and fit well within the team.
What are you most looking forward to accomplishing at CCSU?
I am looking forward to reaching my best potential at CCSU.
Who is your inspiration and why?
My inspiration is my parents. They have supported me through everything and continue to to this day.
What is the best advice you've ever received?
The best advice I have ever received was to lead by example. Others will follow when a team of good leaders is looked upon.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
My proudest accomplishment was being a two time captain for my high school swim team.
What are your future plans?
I want to graduate college with a nursing degree and work in a Boston hospital. I want to travel to Europe and explore what the world has to offer.
What is one thing you learned about yourself during the pandemic?
I learned that resilience is key during difficult times.
Who is your favorite athlete to watch and why?
My favorite athlete to watch is Katie Ledecky.
What's at the top of your bucket list of things to do?
I want to go to Europe.
Do you have a favorite quote?
Yes; "visualize your highest self and showing up as her"
Who would play you in a movie about yourself?
Reese Witherspoon
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Pasta
What is your favorite childhood TV show?
Hannah Montana
What is the most ridiculous fact you know?
Most cars honk in America in the key of F
What superpower would you like to have?
At the snap of my fingers I want to be able to go anywhere in the world.
What would be your spirit animal?
Dory from finding nemo
Who is your favorite musical artist?
Drake
Ashley Calderon | Fr. | Norwalk, CT
Major: Environmental
Why did you choose CCSU?
It was the best fit for me. I really connected with the swim team very well as well.
What are you most looking forward to accomplishing at CCSU?
I'm hoping to become successful and be able to find a major that I really love. As well as getting faster at swim and hopefully representing Honduras at Olympic Trials.
Who is your inspiration and why?
My inspiration is my parents because they are the most hard working people I know and they make me wanna be the best of the best.
What is the best advice you've ever received?
The best advice I've received is leading others and be the example by my coach.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Being where I am now. Swimming for a division one school.
What are your future plans?
To become successful and find a job I love.
What is one thing you learned about yourself during the pandemic?
I've really learned that I eat so bad and I should eat healthier. I didn't realize it too much till quarantine when I wasn't swimming and eating bad and I started gaining weight.
Who is your favorite athlete to watch and why?
Michael Phelps because he is a very hard worker and is getting so old yet he's killing swimming at his age right now.
What's at the top of your bucket list of things to do?
Travel around the world.
Besides playing your sport, do you have any other talents?
Playing volleyball.
Do you have a favorite quote?
Work hard play hard
Who would play you in a movie about yourself?
Gina Rodriguez
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Salmon
What is your favorite childhood TV show?
Fosters home of imaginary friends
What is the most ridiculous fact you know?
The bigger the nose of a big nose monkey is the more the girl will be attracted to them.
What superpower would you like to have?
Being invisible
What would be your spirit animal?
Orangutan
Who is your favorite musical artist?
Bad bunny and A Boogie with the Hoodie
Anna Mrozik | Fr. | Seymour, CT
Major: Business Marketing
Why did you choose CCSU?
I choose CCSU since it felt like the perfect fit for me!
Is there anything interesting about you that you would like us to know?
I enjoy skiing in the winter and surfing in the summer!
What are you most looking forward to accomplishing at CCSU?
Passing all my classes and earning a bachelor's de-gree in Business
Who is your inspiration and why?
My Mom is my biggest inspiration because she grew up having nothing and earned all she owns now!
What is the best advice you've ever received?
Stop overthinking, things will work out!
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Having the honor to be on the CCSU swimming and diving team!
What are your future plans?
Becoming a business owner!
What is one thing you learned about yourself during the pandemic?
Self love and appreciation!
Who is your favorite athlete to watch and why?
My favorite athlete to watch would have to be Simone Biles because she works very hard!
What's at the top of your bucket list of things to do?
Travel with a significant other
Besides playing your sport, do you have any other talents?
Running,Skiing,gymnastics, and singing!
Do you have a favorite quote?
Everything happens for a reason.
Who would play you in a movie about yourself?
Megan Fox
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Fruits
What is your favorite childhood TV show?
Ninja Turtles
What is the most ridiculous fact you know?
Honey doesn't go bad
What superpower would you like to have?
Travel in Time
What would be your spirit animal?
Sea Turtle
Who is your favorite musical artist?
Rihanna
Hallie Perrin | Jr. | Middlebury, CT
Major: Biology
Why did you choose CCSU?
close to home, good price for education
What are you most looking forward to accomplishing at CCSU?
meeting my personal goals in the pool and in the classroom.
Who is your inspiration and why?
my inspiration is my cousin because she is 100% herself and I aspire to have her confidence and mindset.
What is the best advice you've ever received?
get your head in the game - troy bolton
What is your proudest accomplishment?
being apart of two winning relays at NECs
What are your future plans?
Continuing work with children and help-ing them with mental illness, study the brain.
What is one thing you learned about yourself during the pandemic?
I learned many things, but i learned the importance of taking the time to sit with your thoughts instead of distracting yourself on your phone or watching tv all the time.
Who is your favorite athlete to watch and why?
I don't watch sports but I enjoyed to watch micheal phelps and when he would finish a race, he would be so happy with himself.
What's at the top of your bucket list of things to do?
see all the pretty views of the US and maybe out of the country to
Besides playing your sport, do you have any other talents?
water skiing
Do you have a favorite quote?
Fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity
Who would play you in a movie about yourself?
me because i enjoy trying to act
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Bread and Butter
What is your favorite childhood TV show?
Full House or Rugrats
What is the most ridiculous fact you know?
babies are born without adult kneecaps
What superpower would you like to have?
read minds
What would be your spirit animal?
butterfly
Who is your favorite musical artist?
Justin Bieber
Abigail Bacon | So. | Schenectady, NY
Major: Business
Is there anything interesting about you that you would like us to know?
NYS Section 2 champion in the 100 breast in 2017
Who is your favorite athlete to watch and why?
Katie Ledecky because she's an amazing figure for not only swimming but female athletics
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Pizza
What is your favorite childhood TV show?
Hannah Montana
What superpower would you like to have?
Read peoples minds
What would be your spirit animal?
Elephant
Who is your favorite musical artist?
Ariana Grande
Erin Brown | Sr. | Waterbury, CT
Major: Graphic Design
Who is your favorite athlete to watch and why?
My teammate, Alex Lindgren. The way she attacks the 200 breaststroke amazes me every single time.
What's at the top of your bucket list of things to do?
Visit every National Park in the U.S.
Besides playing your sport, do you have any other talents?
Drawing and painting
Who would play you in a movie about yourself?
Emma Watson
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Chocolate Chip Cookies
What is your favorite childhood TV show?
The Crocodile Hunter (RIP Steve Irwin)
What superpower would you like to have?
Invisibility
Who is your favorite musical artist?
The Grateful Dead
Destiny Johnson | Jr. | Windsor, CT
Major: Elementary Education with a focus in English
Why did you choose CCSU?
I liked that it is a small school that offers a great education program in addition to having a great D1 Swimming program.
What are you most looking forward to accomplishing at CCSU?
I am looking forward to attaining my degree in the field of education as well as earning a championship NEC title
Who is your inspiration and why?
My inspiration are my parents because they both grew up in difficult situations but persevered through the obstacles of life and became successful in order to create a better life for their children.
What is the best advice you've ever received?
"Don't let anyone still your thunder" - My Father
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Breaking two swimming records in highschool and hopefully more in the future
What are your future plans?
To become an inspirational and well-rounded elementary school teacher and hopefully pursue some type of career dealing with natural hair.
What is one thing you learned about yourself during quarantine?
To cherish the fun moments while they're happening because you never know when they will be taken away from you.
What is at the top of your bucket list of things to do?
Go to the Bahamas.
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Bread
What is your favorite childhood TV show?
That's so Raven
What superpower would you like to have?
Teleporting
Who is your favorite musical artist?
I have many favorite musical artists but my all time favorites are 90's and early 2000's R&B artists