Weiland of Houston, Texas, is the program's first commit in program history
Stockwell makes program history as first to sign National Letter of Intent
EASTON, Mass. (April 3, 2020) – Stonehill College women's swimming head coach Caleb Potvin has announced the first two commitments for the program's inaugural team for the 2019-20 academic year.
Potvin announced incoming freshman Allison Weiland, a native of Houston, Texas, from St. Agnes Academy is the program's first commitment, signing her commitment letter in February, while future classmate Sydney Stockwell, from Contoocook, New Hampshire, Hopkinton High School and the Concord YMCA Swim Team, made program history by signing the program's first National Letter of Intent (NLI) in March.
"It has been an exciting challenge and process working on our women's swimming program's first recruiting class," said Potvin. "I've been over-joyed with the level of enthusiasm and support from the athletic department at Stonehill. We had a choice between focusing on numbers and plugging in a slew of recruits; or starting our program the right way - the Skyhawk way. This has been a selective process that has been both character and talent-driven - never one at the expense of the other. Allison and Sydney embody everything Stonehill is about and everything we want our swim program to be. They're both incredibly kind people, hard-workers, and supportive teammates."
Weiland |
Allison Weiland
Houston, Texas/St. Agnes Academy
- Four-year letterwinner and member of four-straight Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) State Championship teams.
- Team captain as a senior
- High Honors
- Swam five years with Dad's Club Swim team in Houston
- Daughter of Eileen and Mike Weiland of Houston
- Plans to major in neuroscience
Why Stonehill? "I'm extremely excited to continue my swimming career with Stonehill's inaugural swim team, said Weiland. "I chose Stonehill because of the charismatic and familial culture the campus and its members provide. I truly believe this is a place I will quickly learn to call home for the next four years. I am also really looking forward to building my first snowman in the winter!"
Coach Potvin about Weiland: "Allison has overcome many obstacles, including some injuries, on her path to becoming a Stonehill varsity athlete. She's got the grit and ability to overcome adversity that will not only help our program be successful but will serve her well as she explores and reaches her potential as a student and athlete at Stonehill. The adversity she's overcome has also given her a strong confidence and I'm excited to see how that translates in the pool."
Stockwell |
Sydney Stockwell
Contoocook, New Hampshire/Hopkinton High School/Concord YMCA
- Lettered in cross country, swimming and track
- Backstroke, Butterfly, Freestyle, Individual Medley
- Sportsmanship Award recipient for swimming team
- Four-time New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association (NHIAA) Scholar-Athlete
- High Honor Roll all four years
- Most Outstanding Female Track & Field Athlete as a sophomore
- Competed ten years for Concord YMCA Swim Team
- Daughter of Christine and Steve Stockwell of Contoocook, New Hampshire
- Plans to major in neuroscience
Why Stonehill? "I chose Stonehill because of its strong academic and athletic programs," said Stockwell. "Stonehill emphasizes the importance of supporting both the student and the athlete. I'm thrilled to be a part of the inaugural women's swim team under Coach Potvin. Go Skyhawks!"
Coach Potvin about Stockwell: "Sydney has experienced success at the USA club and high school levels at both the state and regional level. She is not resting on any past laurels, is ready for something 'more' and she's excited for the next level and the challenges that it will bring. She complements her talent with a positive energy that never seems short on supply and a hard work ethic. I have no doubt she's going to make both our swim program and campus better."
Prospective student-athletes and currently enrolled Stonehill students interested in competing as a member of Stonehill's women's swimming program can contact Coach Potvin at cpotvin@stonehill.edu.
With 23 intercollegiate sports, after announcing the addition of women's swimming for the 2020-21 academic year and women's ice hockey for 2021-22, Stonehill boasts one of the top athletic and academic programs in the country. Stonehill has won the Northeast-10 Conference Presidents' Cup five times, all coming within the last 14 years. The Skyhawks have received the NCAA Division II Presidents' Award for Academic Achievement each of the first nine years of the program's existence of honoring institutions with an Academic Success Rate (ASR) of 90-percent or better. Stonehill has earned a 95% Academic Success Ranking (ASR) by the NCAA, which considers the academic success rate of the institution based on the graduation rate of student-athletes, good for tenth among all NCAA Division II institutions, with nine Skyhawk teams receiving a perfect rating of 100%.
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