University of Connecticut Athletics
UCONN WOMEN'S SWIM/DIVE ELECTS THREE CAPTAINS FOR 2021-22
6/25/2021 9:04:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving
UConn Athletic Communications / June 25, 2021
STORRS, Conn. – As the UConn women's swimming and diving team hopefully looks forward to a more normal season in 2021-22, it can count on solid leadership from a trio of captains.
Rising seniors Grace Ali and Molly Franklin and rising junior Caitlin Spencer have been elected team captains for 2021-22. All three are UConn veterans -- Ali and Franklin will be entering their fourth year with the program and Spencer will be in her third.
"I am really looking forward to working with these three captains," UConn coach Chris Maiello said. "They are super-talented, hard-working and committed student-athletes. I know they will lead from the front, as they have in the past, with their actions and performances both in the classroom and in the pool."
Ali (Duxbury, Mass.), who specializes in the butterfly, had a successful year during the shortened 2020-21 season with a win in the 200-yard butterfly against Bryant, a second in the same event in the BIG EAST Championship and another second in the BIG EAST Championship as part of UConn's 200-yard freestyle relay team.
"Becoming a captain means a lot to me because swimming is something I am so passionate about and love so much," she said. "The UConn swimming and diving team is my second family and being a part of this program has changed my life. I care so much about the program and the people and I am so grateful that I have the opportunity to be a leader for this team. I am excited to carry on the UConn Women's Swimming and Diving legacy and lead the team through next season."
Franklin (Sandusky, Ohio) also specializes in the butterfly as well as the individual medley. In last year's BIG EAST Championship, she captured a fifth in the 400-yard IM,, a seventh in the 200-yard IM and an eighth in the 200 Butterfly.
"I am incredibly honored to have the opportunity to be part of the leadership team this year," she said after learning she was elected captain. "I would not want to help push any other group of girls. UConn Women's Swimming and Diving has given me a home away from home, a family, and a better support system than I could have ever imagined. I don't think there could have been a better way to complete my swimming career and my time at UConn than this. We are going to do big things this year as a program and I can't express how excited I am to have fun with my teammates doing so."
Spencer (Uxbridge, Mass.), a backstroker who also competes in the IM, was second in the100 backstroke and fifth in the 200 backstroke at last year's BIG EAST Championship. Two seasons ago as a freshman, she was first in the 100 backstroke against Bryant, first in the 200 backstroke against Southern Connecticut, and second in the 100 backstroke against Villanova.
"The opportunity to be a captain means so much to me," Spencer said. "The team has helped me become a better version of myself both in and outside the pool and I am so grateful to be able to lead such a strong, resilient, hard-working group of girls. Despite the challenges, we always persevere to accomplish great things. I am inspired by the strength of this team and I know we have nothing but success headed our way this coming season."
Maiello is pleased to have the veteran leaders as the program heads into its second season in the BIG EAST Conference.
"I am confident they share our program's vision to be at the top of the BIG EAST in both athlete experience and performance," the UConn coach said. "Our team is filled with high character individuals and these three are among the finest. I am, and I know they are, really looking forward to this upcoming season."
