University of Richmond Athletics
Swimming & Diving Collects Five Commitments
12/14/2015 | Women's Swimming & Diving
Richmond swimming and diving annoucnes the additions of five commitments to arrive in the fall of 2016 to compete for Richmond in the coming years. Get to know the future Spiders with a quick question-and-answer session and a comment from head coach Matt Barany or head diving coach Sean Letsinger.
Maddy Chao
Hometown: Niskayuna, NY
High School, Coach: Albany Academy, Bonnie Morse-Gillham
Club, Coach: Flip and Rip, Maria Coomaraswamy-Falkenstein
Why UR? I chose UR because of the outstanding academics, athletics, and research opportunities. I love the community feel both within the swim and dive team and the school itself.
Influential people: I owe everything to my coach Maria, my family, and my friends. They've supported me every step of the way.
Academic interests: medicine, cognitive sciences, and psychology
What I'm looking forward to: I'm really looking forward to being a part of an energetic and cohesive team and becoming the best diver that I can be with the help of great coaching.
Fun fact: I love to snowboard and my favorite animal is a hedgehog.
Diving Experience: Two Years
Other Relevant Experience: Competed as a level 9 gymnast before switching to diving in 2014.
Top Diving Accomplishments to Date: At the 2015 AAU Diving Nationals, Chao finished 20th (304.50) in the 3-meter J.O. At the 2015 NYSPHSAA Swimming and Diving Championships, Chao finished 15th (416.70) in the 1-meter championship final.
Sean Letsinger quote: “Maddy is extremely impressive. She has proven her ability to compete at a high level in the sport with only two years of training. I am confident that she will do amazing things during her time at Richmond, and we are so excited to have her on board.”
Sydney Weiskopf
Hometown: Clifton Park, New York
High School, Coach: Shenendehowa High School, Dennis Hogan
Club, Coach: Flip and Rip Diving, Maria Coomaraswamy-Falkenstein
Why UR: Richmond is an amazing school with a such a welcoming environment. When I was on campus I felt so comfortable and I knew I could see myself spending the next four years there.
Influential in my life: The most influential people in my life have been my parents and my coaches. No matter what is going on in their lives they are always there to support me and make sure my goals and dreams are being met.
Academic Interests: I have always loved science, and am looking to major in Chemistry.
Looking forward to about college experience: I am looking forward to coming on to a team that will become my family, I can't wait make new lifelong friends who I can support and they can support me. I am also looking forward to training harder to become a better diver and competing for my school.
Diving Experience: 6 Years
Other Relevant Experience: Competed as a level six gymnast before switching to diving in 2011
Top Diving Accomplishments to Date: At the 2015 AAU Diving Nationals, Weiskopf finished 23rd (293.30) in the 1-meter J.O. and 15th (316.95) in the 3-meter J.O. At the 2014 NYSPHSSA Swimming and Diving Championships, Weiskopf finished 20th (413.95) in the 1-meter championship final.
Sean Letsinger quote: “Sydney is an excellent addition to our squad. She is currently training a very impressive list of dives on the 1-meter springboard and has merely grazed the surface of her 3-meter potential. I am excited to see what heights she will reach during her four years at Richmond.”
Lexie Gilbert
Hometown: Annapolis, Md.
High School, Coach: Annapolis High School, HS coach: Andrew Grannell
Club, Coach: Naval Academy Aquatic Club (12 yrs), Head coach: Hilary Yager
Why UR? I chose the University of Richmond for its amazing academics and athletics. The team and the coaching staff are phenomenal. The swim program seemed like a great fit for me, a place where I could contribute to the success of the team and reach my goals.
I would like to thank: My neighbor and community swim coach, Coach Mark, who forced me to tryout for swim team at the age of five, with a bribery of donuts. Thank you to my parents who have constantly supported me through the ups and downs of swimming and have arranged our lives according to the swim schedule for the past twelve years. Lastly, I'd like to say 'Thank you' to all my coaches at the Naval Academy Aquatic Club who have always believed and supported me… Coach Reb, Coach Andrew, and Coach Hilary Yager.
Academic Interests: Business and the Leadership School
Looking Forward to: I am looking forward to training with the girls on the team and being coached by Matt and Coach Mullins. I'm very excited to represent the University of Richmond as I compete as well.
Fun Fact: I really like blueberries, a lot!
Top Times: 200 IM- 2:07.95, 400 IM- 4:27.85, 200 free- 1:55.83, 500 free- 5:02.06, 1,000 free- 10:32.96
Matt Barany Quote: "We're excited about Lexie, but she is really excited about Richmond! We love it! Lexie and her parents have been to Richmond several times and I think it's a clean, simple, obvious fit."
"She had a great long course summer and a strong fall season. She identifies the best is yet to come and she chose Richmond to help her grow into the swimmer she is capable of becoming. I hope I can help her there...I might have to bribe with blueberries?"
"I imagine Lexie will strengthen our IM efforts and mid-distance events with ease."
Hannah Gouger
Hometown: Cockeysville, MD
High school: Dulaney High School
Club, Coach: Loyola Blakefield Aquatics, Keith Schertle
Why UR? UR is the perfect combination of amazing academics and athletics. I could see the strong team bond that I knew I wanted to be a part of. 
Influence: My mom is the biggest influence in my life. She has always put my sister and me as her top priority and I am extremely thankful for that.
Academic interests: history and math
Looking forward to: I am most looking forward to the strong team dynamic that the team has. I can't wait to train with this amazing group of girls!
Fun fact: I'm terrified of mayonnaise and vomit.
Top Times: 50 free- 23.95, 200 free- 1:50.59, 500 free- 4:58.96, 100 back- 54.32, 200 back- 1:58.52, 100 fly- 56.83, 200 IM- 2:04.95, 400 IM- 4:29.26
Olympic Trial Qualifier in 100m back- 1:03.24
Matt Barany Quote: "We know Hannah and her family well. They operate as a strong unit and have been supportive of our Spider family for 5 years. I imagine all of them will travel to Omaha to watch Hannah at Olympic Trials!"
"Hannah has had a phenomenal coach. In fact, Coach Keith delayed retirement to support her Olympic Trials dream during her senior year. Her talent and her national meet experience will help us tremendously, but I'm most eager for her training impact on our talented backstroke group. She will have good "teachers" in her training group to help her grow and get even faster."
Virginia Marsh
Hometown: High Point, NC
High School, Coach: Westchester Country Day School, Megann Huggins
Club, Coach: High Point Swim Club, Aaron Reeves
Why UR? I choose UR because I was looking for a school that offers excellent academics and a swimming program that will help me excel, and UR provides both.
Who has been most influential? I would like to say thank you to my parents for always supporting me in anything I do. They take days off from work to sit through long meets and watch me swim for a total of a couple minutes. I'd also like to thank my club coach, Aaron Reeves, who has helped me to be the swimmer I am today, and who has gotten me to the next level. I'd also like to thank him for supporting me. Lastly, I'd like to thank my high school coach for understanding my commitment to club swimming and for making high school swimming extremely fun. 
Academic Interests: I would like to major in either biology or chemistry.
What are you looking forward to? I am looking forward to grow as a swimmer and a person. I also am looking forward to have new teammates for the next four years that will support me.
Top Times: 50 free- 23.86, 100 free- 50.93, 200 free- 1:47.28, 500 free- 4:58.40, 100 back- 57.67, 200 back- 2:06.02, 100 fly- 57.13, 200 IM – 2:04.99
Matt Barany Quote: "I first met Virginia and her grandmother during an unofficial visit. I was very impressed by Virginia and I think her grandmother was very impressed with our school and the nearby clothing stores."
"All indications we've received is that Virginia is just beginning to realize her potential. Her club coach, Aaron, sees a bright future, and so do the many North Carolina coaches who have watched her race. I've heard "Richmond is getting a star" many times. I imagine this star will strengthen our relays for many years."
"Lastly, I'm hoping we can convince her dad to swap out the Tar Heel blue for a bright red Richmond Spider!"
