ONEONTA, N.Y. - The Hartwick Women's Swimming and Diving gear up for the 2024-25 Empire 8 Swimming and Diving Championships, looking to bring home their first Empire 8 title after earning runner-up honors in each of the last five championship meets.

The Royal Blue and White head into the 2024-25 postseason with a talented roster that can help them clinch that elusive Empire 8 crown, spearheaded by three former Rookie of the Year recipients, Cate Russo (San Pedro, Cal.), Courtney Pierce (Fulton, N.Y.), and Bree Dy (Matawan, N.J.).

The 2023 and 2024 Swimmer of the Year, Courtney Pierce is the defending champion in the 100 and 200 yard breaststroke, and enters this year's championship with the fastest time in the 200 breaststroke event. Pierce has been named Athlete of the Week three times this year and looks to keep up the pace this week.

Dani DeCarlo (Whitesboro, N.Y.) and Russo are enjoying stellar sophomore seasons and look to build on their early postseason success with DeCarlo defending her 200 butterfly and 400 IM crown while Russo will defend her 1650 freestyle title. Hartwick will also rely on Min-Syun Chen (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) and first year standout Kate Gucciardi (Cicero, N.Y.) to gain some key points in the backstroke, breaststroke and individual medley events. 

Annabelle Lindsay (Hudson Falls, N.Y.) has been on a tear on the diving board in her first season with the Hawks, sweeping the diving events in her last two meets. Lindsay will look to represent the Hawks well in the one and three meter diving events in her first postseason appearance.

The 2024-25 Empire 8 Swimming and Diving Championships will take place from Wednesday, February 19 to Saturday, February 22 at the Webster Aquatic Center in Webster, N.Y.. At the conclusion of the meet, an Empire 8 women's and men's team champion will be crowned as well as a Male and Female Swimmer and Diver of the Meet. The top three finishers in each event will also be recognized.


Live video and results will be available throughout the four-day event. For more on this year's championship - including daily video links, heat sheets, results, and updated information - please head to the Championship Central page.

About Hartwick College:

Hartwick, often referred to as The Life Balance College, is a private liberal arts and sciences institution in Oneonta, N.Y. Through its distinctive FlightPath approach, Hartwick blends academic excellence, career preparation and an active campus life to help students achieve a balanced and fulfilling college experience. With transparent tuition and a focus on health and wellness, Hartwick prepares students for lifelong success—both professionally and personally.