Flushing, NY --- Brooklyn College junior LUCIE O'DONNELL, a member of the Women’s Swimming & Diving team, has been named the City University of New York Athletic Conference / Hospital For Special Surgery Scholar Athlete of the Month, for November 2010. O’Donnell, an Accounting Major, boasts an impressive 3.962 GPA.
The team captain has been instrumental in helping to reestablish the BC Swimming and Diving program, which was reinstated this year after being suspended following the 2003-2004 season.
“Lucie, from day one, has been a diligent and consistent leader on our team,” said Head Coach Jillian Wyrick. “She has set the standard for what it means to be dedicated, and has never wavered in her commitment to contributing to building this new program. She understands what it takes to be a college athlete, and sets an example on a daily basis in practice. In a meet, I can put Lucie in any event, and she will absolutely go for the win. She is always looking for ways to get better, and to improve, and that's all a coach can really ask for.”
Playing a crucial role in leading the Bulldogs to their first win of the season, O’Donnell put her dedication and commitment on display in a November 18th meet against conference rival York College. O’Donnell posted a pair of first place finishes in the 200-Yard Individual Medley (2:53.63), as well as the 400-Yard Freestyle (5:34.69). She was also a member of the 200-Yard Medley Relay team, which posted a top time of 2:21.17 as Brooklyn would go on to notch a 108-72 victory over the Cardinals.
O’Donnell continued to excel in the water posting three individual first place finishes at a tri-meet against Sarah Lawrence College and the College of Mount Saint Vincent on November 20th. The Long Beach, NY native bested the field in the 500-Yard Freestyle (6:31.78), the 100-Yard Freestyle (1:03.57) and the 100-Yard Individual Medley (1:12.11).
In a 70-51 win coming against borough rival Saint Joseph ’s College ( Brooklyn ) on November 22nd, O’Donnell took home the 100-Yard Freestyle with a time of 1:02.79. Then, in Brooklyn ’s finals meet of the month on November 30th, O’Donnell placed first in the 200-Yard Individual Medley (2:33.58) and was also a part of the 200-Yard Medley Relay team that placed first with a time of 2:12.33.
“It’s a great honor to have gotten this award and it feels great to be recognized for the long days between practice and class,” said O’Donnell. “I enjoy both school and swimming, and I feel very fortunate to be acknowledged for all of the hard work that gets put in as a student-athlete.”
“Coach Wyrick is a phenomenal coach for myself and the team,” continued O’Donnell. “Along with assistant coaches’ Mike Smit and Sean Kellar, the coaching staff brings so much knowledge about the sport and they do a great job at motivating us in our first year. It’s exciting to be a part of a new team, as we have great swimmers on both the women’s and men’s teams.
