Swimming and Diving adds 10 for 2019-20

Canisius head swimming and diving coach Scott Vanderzell announced Thursday that the program will add 10 new student-athletes to the 2019-20 roster.

The 10-member incoming class features Courtney Allen (Hamburg, N.Y.), Lizzie Blake (Orchard Park, N.Y.), Joe Blake (Orchard Park, N.Y.), Carolyn DeBoth (Amherst, N.Y.), Erika Eyssen (Brunswick, Ohio), Alex Hiltbrand (Baldwinsville, N.Y.), Lillian McDonnell (Hamburg, N.Y.), Aaron Rodriguez (Miami, Fla.), Isabel Sapio (Orchard Park, N.Y.) and Grace Van Buren (Amherst, N.Y.).

Courtney Allen • Breaststroke/IM • Hamburg, N.Y. • Frontier Central
Before Canisius

Five-year member of the Frontier Central swim team
Served as a team captain for senior season
Two-time MVP
Qualified for states in the 200-yard freestyle relay
11-year member of the Star Swimming Club program

Personal

Daughter of Michele and Michael Allen
Has two brothers, Michael and Andrew
Majoring in marketing

Lizzie Blake • Backstroke • Orchard Park, N.Y. • Orchard Park
Before Canisius

Five-year member of the Orchard Park swim team
Four-year Scholar-Athlete
10-year member of the Star Swimming Club Program

Personal

Daughter of Lynda and Kevin Blake
Has three Siblings: Joe, Josh and Emily
Majoring in Biology

Joe Blake • IM/FLY • Orchard Park, N.Y. • Orchard Park
Before Canisius

Five-year member of the Orchard Park Swim team
Member of the Star Swimming Club Program

Personal

Son of Lynda and Kevin Blake
Has three siblings: Josh, Lizzie and Emily

Carolyn DeBoth • Free/Fly • Amherst, N.Y. • Amherst
Before Canisius

Four-year member of the Amherst swim team
Team Captain
Member of National Honor Society
Earned the Wells College Leadership Award

Personal

Daughter of Julie and Paul DeBoth
Has two sisters, Tara and Lindsay
Majoring in biology

Erika Eyssen • Breaststroke/IM • Brunswick, Ohio • Brunswick
Before Canisius

Four-year member of the Brunswick swim team
Top-ten Brunswick All-Time Swimmer
Four-year state participant
Scholar-Athlete and team captain

Personal

Daughter of Diane and Jon Eyssen
Has five siblings: Benjamin, Zachary, Jamie, Nicole and Lauren
Majoring in secondary education

Alex Hiltbrand • Fly/Sprint • Baldwinsville, N.Y. • CW Baker
Before Canisius

Four-year member of the Baldwinsville swim team
2017 Team MVP
2018 Team Captain
2017 NYHSAA Section III State Qualifier

Personal

Son of Nicole and James Hiltbrand
Has four siblings: Ryan, Nolan, Gavin and Gwyneth
Majoring in athletic training and digital media

Lilly McDonnell • Fly/Distance • Hamburg, N.Y. • Nardin Academy/ Hamburg
Before Canisius

Two-year member of the Hamburg swim team and one-year member of the Nardin Academy swim team
2018 Hamburg Athlete of the Week
Team MVP
Seven-year member of the Star Swimming Club team

Personal

Daughter of Karen and Bob McDonnell
Has one sister, Mia
Majoring in marketing/communications

Aaron Rodriguez • Sprint Free • Miami, Fla. • Doral Academy
Before Canisius

Member of the Doral Academy swim team
Earned three state titles
Garnered all-county and all-state honors

Personal

Son of Hettye Haza and Joel Rodriguez
Has one sister, Ashley

Isabel Sapio • Fly/Breaststroke/IM • Orchard Park, N.Y. • Orchard Park
Before Canisius

Four-year member of the Orchard Park swim team
2016 Section VI Individual and Relay Champion
Four-time ECIC/Sectional Team Champions
Three-time individual state qualifier
11-year member of the Town Wreckers Swim Team

Personal

Daughter of Rebecca and Thomas Sapio
Has two siblings: Luke and Olivia
Majoring in psychology

Grace VanBuren • Sprint Free • Amherst, N.Y. • Amherst
Before Canisius

Eight-year member of the Amherst swim team
Three-year MVP
Five-year member of the Amherst Lacrosse team
Earned All-WNY Second-team accolades for lacrosse

Personal

Daughter of Amy and Peter VanBuren
Has one brother, Dewey

Print Friendly Version