Senior Celebration Series: Women's Swim & Dive

At Rensselaer, we are proud to recognize the student-athletes who are members of the Class of 2021. We thank them for their hard work, dedication and tremendous efforts in representing the Institute in a first-class manner academically and athletically. We wish them well in all their future endeavors. 

REBECCA BAIONE

Poughquag, New York | Business and Management

FROM A COACH:

• Rebecca is known for the consistent energy she projects on and off the pool. She has been known to remind her teammates to always have a good time and laugh off the hard times. Rebecca may just be the most relaxed person you will come across. 

DARBY BURNS

Fairfax Station, Virginia | Mechanical Engineering

FROM A COACH:

• Darby is always smiling and is known for constantly pushing herself and others to try new dives and work their hardest. She shows her hard work on and off the boards and is very willing to help out her fellow divers with eliminating mental blocks. Overall, Darby deserves the award for the ‘nicest yet secretly most awesome’ person.

MADDIE DAY

New Castle, Delaware | Civil Engineering

Favorite RPI Athletics Memory: One of my favorite memories at RPI was winning Liberty Leagues our freshman year for the first time in school history. I also enjoyed the alumni weekend that we had the opportunity to host. It was so cool to be able to talk to women from previous years, all the way back to the first women's team at RPI. It is amazing to see how much our alumni support us. Finally, I will always remember our training trips. These trips were great team bonding events, where we were able to create long-lasting memories (especially the 6.7 magnitude earthquake). 

What Makes Rensselaer So Special: RPI has become a second home to most of us. Within the athletic community, we rally together and support each other through both academics and athletics. I am also so thankful to have the coaching staff, athletic trainers, strength coaches and the rest of the athletic staff who truly care about their athletes and help us to become our best selves. 

Post-Graduation Plans: I have accepted a full time geotechnical engineering position at Geo-technology Associates and will be working as a Staff Engineer. 

FROM A COACH:

• Maddie is always willing to provide her excellent tunes for any moment, whether it be during practice, times spent in the locker room or during training trips. She has always exhibited strength and persistence in practices and meets, especially during those tough sets. 

ASHLEY GERMAN

Newburgh, New York | Biomedical Engineering

Favorite RPI Athletics Memory: Being a part of the first women's swim team to win Liberty Leagues in RPI history is probably one of my favorite memories as an RPI athlete. Both teams (men and women) won and all of the swimmers and coaches jumped in the pool with their clothes on. Some of my favorite memories are also the ones we made during training trips, traveling to meets or just being in the pool throughout my time here.

What Makes Rensselaer So Special: The swim and dive coaching staff is what made my time here so special. They have built an amazing program and truly make everyone feel at home when we are at the pool.

The entire athletics department and the other athletes are also what make Rensselaer so special. There is a huge sense of pride and community that I hope to carry with me for the rest of my life.

Post-Graduation Plans: I will be continuing my education in the co-terminal program. I plan to receive my M. Eng. in Biomedical Engineering.

WHAT OTHERS SAY:

• Ashley was the teammate who everyone could count on to pick them up when they were having a rough day. Whether it was talking to her in the team room, or getting cheered on in the pool, Ashley was always lifting everyone up. She brought positive energy to the pool deck and was always able to bring a smile to her teammates faces. Excited to see what she will bring in the 2021-22 season!
• An extremely personable character who strives to make everyone feel at home.
• From a coach: Even on her toughest days, Ashley will push through and come back the next day even stronger. She has one of the biggest hearts on the team and is willing to help out anyone without hesitation. You can always depend on Ashley cheering you on from the sidelines during meets, or from a few lanes over during practice.

KAITLIN JOYCE

Warrenton, Virginia | Biomedical Engineering

WHAT OTHERS SAY:

• Meeting Katy as a high school recruit is part of what I loved about RPI, as even before I had become her teammate she was helpful, encouraging and inspirational, as she is with recruits and teammates alike. She has shown me what it is to be committed to her team and school and I am so grateful for her leadership the last few years.
• Katy was a vital part of the team throughout all four of her years. She worked hard through multiple injuries and never gave up! She was someone who the team could count on to come through in a close meet, or to be the person to talk to after a bad race. Do big things in California! Your RPISD family will miss you!
• From a coach:  Katy has so much positivity to give, it seems limitless. The leadership she has shown as a captain over the years is to be admired. She has proven time and time again that she can conquer any obstacle that comes her way.

JENNIE KING

Taunton, Massachusetts | Civil Engineering

WHAT OTHERS SAY:

• Jennie was a teammate who kept everyone accountable. She truly cared about the team and wanted to make sure everyone was working their hardest for the same goal. She was a key part of the team and will truly be missed!
• Creates bonds between teammates and friends through speaking what everyone else is thinking.
• From a coach: Jennie has proven that she can step up to the plate and shatter her goals but she never forgets to bring her teammates along with her, even if keeping pace with her during distance sets is almost impossible. Her sassy, confident attitude is the reason why she has had success at RPI.

KEIRA WILSON

Lake Mary, Florida | Mechanical Engineering

Favorite RPI Athletics Memory: Traveling to MIT my freshman year for the first time, and performing against great competition.

What Makes Rensselaer So Special: RPI encourages athletes to prioritize academics, and allowed me to become involved in many activists besides just sports, making me a well-rounded student. I am confident in the education I have received here, and my professors have prepared me exceptionally well for my future career. There is truly no place like RPI. 

WHAT OTHERS SAY:

• On the pool deck, in the locker room and outside of swimming, Keira keeps us smiling and laughing and I will forever be grateful for her encouragement. She is exactly who you want as a teammate and friend. I'm so proud of her for graduating early!!!
• Keira is a great teammate and hard worker in and out of the pool. Involved in many things outside of swimming, she brought so much to the table that encouraged everyone around her to step out of their comfort zones and try new things! 
• Even from outside the swim team, Keira’s energy is infectious and she is dedicated to being the best student-athlete she can be, through working hard in athletics as well as all other activities. She is a selfless leader and has been a very positive influence on me. 
• From a coach: Keira is easy-going and is known by her teammates for doing what’s best for the team, even if that meant swimming one of the hardest events. Even on her tougher days, she would continue to cheer on her teammates and keep a positive attitude.

Attention Rensselaer student-athletes, coaches & staff: Should you wish to add any information or provide comments, please click HERE and submit the form.

as of May 31, 2021