Ashburn, Va. — Briar Woods High School senior Cassie Holstein has made a commitment to continue her swimming career at Duquesne University starting in the 2018-2019 school year.
“I’m so excited to know that I will be continuing my swimming career in college,” the 5-foot-6 Holstein said. “I am proud to have achieved one of my biggest goals.”
[adrotate banner=”18″]Earning the opportunity to swim for a Division I swim team is an impressive feat, but for Holstein, the opportunity to compete at Duquesne is about more than just swimming.
“I chose Duquesne not only for its outstanding academic and athletic programs, but also for my family history at the school,” Holstein said. “My grandmother graduated from Duquesne in 1961 and was ecstatic that I loved the school just as much as she does!”
Located in Pittsburgh, Duquesne is a private school serving about 6,000 undergraduates and 16 Division I athletics teams.
In 2018, the Dukes women’s swim team won its first ever Atlantic 10 Championship before finishing twelfth at the CSCAA National Invitational at the U.S. Naval Academy.
“I hope to contribute to the team’s enthusiasm and camaraderie over the next four years,” said Holstein, who hopes to swim middle- and long-distance freestyle events at Duquesne.
In her final season at Briar Woods, Holstein finished with top-20 LoCo Top Times in the 100-yard freestyle (55.21) and 500-yard freestyle (5:16.97) events, while helping the Lady Falcons to a VHSL Region 5C championship and a third-place finish at the VHSL 5A State championship.
“Swimming for Briar Woods has been one of the most fun experiences I’ve had,” the Ashburn-native said. “Our team feels more like a family; I’ve met some of my closest friends and made some of my favorite memories on my school’s swim team.”