WASHINGTON – The George Washington men’s and women’s swimming and diving programs have named team captains for the 2016-17 season, head coach James Winchester announced ahead of his second season at the helm.
Rising juniors Abigail Fusco and Iman Lee will lead the women’s squad, while rising junior Gustav Hokfelt and rising senior Ryan O’Malley will captain the men’s team.
The veteran member of GW’s diving team, Lee led the Colonials in her sophomore season with her positive outlook and hard-working attitude. The international affairs major has also found success in the classroom, twice being named to the A-10 Commissioner’s Honor Roll and GW Athletics Academic Dean’s List.
After a strong freshman year, Fusco continued to be a force for GW as a sophomore, helping to break program records in the 200-yard freestyle relay, 400-yard medley relay and 800-yard freestyle relay at the 2016 A-10 Championships, and taking home a bronze medal in the 800.
“I’m excited to welcome Abbey and Iman to the role of captains for the 2016-17 season,” said Winchester. “These two women embody the best of our program in terms of commitment, work ethic and leadership. After a successful first year, our program is ready to take the next step towards excellence, and the leadership by these two women is poised to take us there.”
An All-Conference Second Team member in 2016, Hokfelt posted a stellar sophomore campaign in the pool, setting a new program record in the 100-yard backstroke with an NCAA ‘B’ cut time, while helping break four relay records at the A-10 Championships, including a second-place finish in the 400-yard medley relay. An exercise science major, Hokfelt has twice been named to the GW Athletics Academic Dean’s List.
O’Malley displayed marked improvement in his junior season as he qualified for the first A-10 Championships final of his career in 2016 and competed in the consolation final of the 100-yard backstroke. The political science major has also proven to be a leader in the classroom as a three-time GW Athletics Academic Dean’s List member, while earning a spot on the fall 2015 A-10 Commissioner’s Honor Roll.
“I am very proud in announcing the elevation of Gustav and Ryan to the role of captain,” said Winchester. “Gustav had a banner year, raising his athletic and academic performances to the very top end of our program, and Ryan’s daily commitment to what we are trying to build was well rewarded when he made his first finals in his career at the A-10 Championships.”
The Colonials posted a successful first year under Winchester’s direction, improving on both the men’s and women’s sides of the conference at the league meet. Winchester also coached the first-ever All-American on the men’s side, as Andrea Bolognesi grabbed First Team honors at the NCAA Championship in March and led the Colonials to an overall 33rd-place team finish – the highest in program history.
“The growth of our program has been significant this first year, and I am excited to see these four individuals lead us into the 2016-17 season,” said Winchester. “They are true believers in the future direction of our program and will help elevate George Washington toward becoming the elite swimming and diving program in the A-10 and at the national level.”
Press release courtesy of George Washington Athletics.