Columbia Takes On 11 Newcomers
7/27/2021 10:43:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving
The Lions' class of 2025 is comprised of 10 swimmers and a diver from six different states and three international student-athletes (Canada, Hong Kong, Jamaica)
NEW YORK — The Columbia women's swimming and diving team has added seven incoming student-athletes to its roster for the 2021-22 season, head coach Diana Caskey announced today. The class includes 10 swimmers and one diver.
"We are so grateful to be back in Percy Uris Natatorium this fall," Caskey said. "It will be a unique season in so many ways and we are excited to welcome the class of 2025. In spite of all the pandemic challenges, they have been a group that remained positive and upbeat. They bring great energy, drive and racing acumen. (Assistant Coach) Matt Hall and I cannot wait for them to arrive on Morningside Heights!"
"We are thrilled to have Macy joining us," head diving coach Scott Donie added. "A proven competitor, Macy has all the elements to succeed at the highest level in our league and beyond. Her combination of power, flexibility, athleticism and grace is rare indeed."
Hannah Hailu
Omaha, Neb. – Millard North
Backstroke/Butterfly
HIGH SCHOOL: A 2021 graduate of Millard North High School in Nebraska … Four-time MVP of varsity team … Won Metro Championship three times (2019-21) in the 100 butterfly … Picked up Metro and State title in the 100 backstroke in 2021 … Was Winter Juniors Champion in the 200 backstroke in 2020 … Set high school records in the 100 butterfly (55.97), the 100 backstroke (56.10) and 200 IM (2:07.53).
PERSONAL: Born November 10, 2003 … Daughter of Wosen and Admassu Hailu … Has two siblings Ruth and Elisabeth who both attended Harvard … Father, Wosen, is a cardiologist … Parents both immigrated from Ethiopia … Enrolled at Columbia College.
Ashley Hu
Scarsdale, N.Y. – Greenwich Academy (Conn.)
Breaststroke
HIGH SCHOOL: A 2021 graduate of Greenwich Academy in Connecticut … Four-time Winter Junior Nationals qualifier (2016-20) … Competed at 2019 USA Swimming Futures Championships, earning fifth place finish in 200 breaststroke … Led Gators to undefeated dual meet record during varsity career … Three-time NEPSAC Division I Team Champions (2018-20) … Earned a national top-10 200-yard breaststroke in age group in 2017 … Took first place at 2017 Bud Erichs Championships and set pool record in 100 breaststroke.
PERSONAL: Born June 17, 2002 … Daughter of Junhua and Haitao Hu … Has one sibling, Daniel … Mother Junhua was part of Columbia Teachers College Certificate Program … Parents are first generation immigrants from China … USA Swimming Scholastic All-American (2017-20) … Valedictorian of class … Plays violin, studied at Manhattan School of Music Pre-College and has performed at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center … Fluent in Mandarin … Enrolled at Columbia College.
Stephanie Lee
Vancouver, B.C. – Southridge
Freestyle/Backstroke
HIGH SCHOOL: A 2021 graduate of Southridge High School in South Surrey, British Columbia … Earned silver medal in the 50-meter freestyle at the BC Winter Provincial Championships … Also reached finals in two events at the Speedo Western Championships in April 2019 … Met Olympic Trial qualifications 2019-present … Has qualified for Canadian Senior championships since 2019.
PERSONAL: Born July 29, 2003 … Daughter of Tricia and Adrian Lee … Has two siblings, Natassia and Kiara … Enrolled at Columbia College.
Emily MacDonald
Kingston, Jamaica – The Bolles School (Fla.)
Sprints Freestyle
HIGH SCHOOL: A 2021 graduate of the Bolles School in Jacksonville, Florida … FHSAA State Champions … Participated in 2019 FINA World Junior Swimming Championships, 2019 PanAm Games, 2018 Youth Olympics and 2018 CAC Games with Jamaican National Team.
PERSONAL: Born July 17, 2003 … Daughter of Sophia and Alistair MacDonald … Cousin, Melissa Webb '06CC, attended Columbia … Grandfather, Alexander, went to Cornell … Plays piano … Owner of seven cats … Enrolled at Columbia College.
Allison Martin
McLean, Va. – Georgetown Visitation
Freestyle/IM
HIGH SCHOOL: A 2021 graduate of Georgetown Visitation in Washington, D.C. … Four-year member of varsity squad … Second place finisher in the 100 freestyle at Futures … Four-time finalist at the 2020 Potomac Valley SC Senior Championships (100 fly, 100 free, 200 IM, 200 free).
PERSONAL: Born January 7, 2003 … Daughter of Mami and John Martin … Has one sibling, Olivia … Both parents are doctors (mother, Mami, is a general surgeon and father, John, is ophthalmologist) … Father, John, attended Columbia Medical School … Mother, Mami, immigrated from Japan at the age of seven and went on to attend MIT where she played volleyball from 1988-92 … Enrolled at Columbia College.
Aastha Mehta
Mountain View, Calif. – Henry M. Gunn
Freestyle/Backstroke
HIGH SCHOOL: A 2021 graduate of Henry M. Gunn High School … Team won Central Coast Section Champions in 2018 and 2019 … Took fifth in 100 freestyle at SCVAL Championships in 2018 … Swam with Palo Alto Stanford Aquatics club team.
PERSONAL: Born May 2, 2003 … Daughter of Sonal and Parag Mehta … Has one sibling, Aash … Enrolled at Barnard College.
Macy Pine
Los Angeles, Calif. – Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies
Diving
HIGH SCHOOL: A 2021 graduate of the Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies … CIF-LA and Western League 1-meter diving champion in 2019 … Team captain in 2018 and 2019 (2020 & 2021 seasons canceled due to COVID) … Represented the Trojan Dive Club at the 2019 USA Diving Junior National Championships where she placed 14th in 16-18 Girls 1-meter … Finalist in 16-18 Girls 1-meter, 3-meter, and platform diving at 2019 USA Diving Zone F Championships.
PERSONAL: Born June 27, 2003 … Daughter of Mary Morrisey-Pine and Richard Pine … Has one sibling, Shelby … Was an alternate for season three of TV show, Master Chef Junior … Enrolled at Columbia College.
Riley Pujadas
Devon, Pa. – The Episcopal Academy
Backstroke
HIGH SCHOOL: A 2021 graduate of The Episcopal Academy in Newton Square, Pennsylvania … Placed third at Easterns in 2020 and 2021 in 100 backstroke … Inter-Academic Athletic All-League first team in 2018, 2019 and 2020 … Has swam for the Dominican Republic National Team.
PERSONAL: Born October 4, 2002 … Daughter of Michelle and Santiago Pujadas … Has two siblings, Madison and Sydney … Sister, Madison, was swimmer and earned undergraduate degree from Columbia in 2018 and grandmother, Estrella, received two degrees from the Teachers College in 1990 and 1991 … Father, Santiago, is a first-generation immigrant from the Dominican Republic … Enrolled at Columbia College.
Julia Unas
Santa Clarita, Calif. – Valencia
IM/Breastroke
HIGH SCHOOL: A 2021 graduate of Valencia High School in California … Earned 2019 Foothill League Team Championship … 2019 All-Girls SCV Team … 2018 & 2019 USA Swimming Junior National Qualifier … Earned 2019 Valencia High School Most Outstanding Sophomore Swimmer … Won four Foothill League Championships … Five-time CIF A-Finalist and two-time CIF State Finalist.
PERSONAL: Born May 22, 2003 … Daughter of Julieta and Redentor Unas … Has one sibling, Josh, who swam at Regis College in Massachusetts … Class valedictorian … Enrolled at Columbia College.
Taylor Whang
Park Ridge, N.J. – Immaculate Heart Academy
Breaststroke/IM
HIGH SCHOOL: A 2021 graduate of Immaculate Heart Academy in New Jersey … Earned NJ Non-Public Group A State Championships in 2018, 2019 and 2020 … Three-time Big North All-League selection … Named first team all-county in 2019 and 2020.
PERSONAL: Born December 21, 2002 … Daughter of Alex and James Whang … Has two siblings, Thomas and Samantha … Uncle, Matthew, attended Columbia Medical School … Honored by her town after saving a man from drowning while working as a lifeguard in 2019 … Enrolled at Barnard College.
Anthea Wong
Hong Kong – Hong Kong International
Butterfly
HIGH SCHOOL: A 2021 graduate of the Hong Kong International School in China … Previously attending International School of Beijing where she broke over 30 school records … Finished third at Hong Kong Schools Sports Federation Division One Championships 2019 … Won at China Cup Championships 2019 with the International School of Beijing … Claimed first place "high point trophy" at 2017 Buccaneer Invitational and 2019 BISP Flying Fish Invitational.
PERSONAL: Born November 29, 2002 … Daughter of Amy Chiu and Bell Wong … Has one sibling, Anson … Lived in Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong growing up … Enrolled at Columbia College.
For the latest on the Columbia women's swimming and diving program, follow @CULionsWSD on Twitter and Instagram, @CULionsDiving on Instagram and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
Players Mentioned
