In her first-ever collegiate meet against Stevens, freshman environmental science major Rhylee Cornell placed first in both the 100 (1:07.90) and 200 breaststroke (2:30.19).

“Breaststroke is my main stroke, so I knew I had to get after it in my freshman debut,” said Cornell. “I always get nervous before meets, but I was kind of surprised when I got first in both events.”

Cornell has also participated in a number of winning relays this season, giving her the chance to swim alongside her upperclassmen teammates.

“I love everyone and we’re all so competitive. We always encourage each other during practices,” said Cornell. “We’re always excited behind the blocks and ready to go, which is really fun.”

Growing up in Egg Harbor Township, Cornell played multiple sports but inevitably decided to stick with swimming.

“It took over my schedule, so I chose swimming over everything else because it was something I was better at and something I loved,” said Cornell.

Her father, a swim coach for the Egg Harbor Township Seahawks, taught her how to swim at a young age and was the one who got her into competitive swimming. 

“He started teaching me how to swim when I was like three, and then I started competitively swimming when I was five,” Cornell said. “After that, I never really stopped.”

She initially wasn’t sure if she wanted to swim in college, but her high school years were spent competing on the Egg Harbor Township High School Lady Eagles, which solidified the idea for her to continue with the sport at the collegiate level. Cornell ended her high school career on the right note, and her team went on to the 2023 state finals.

“At the beginning of high school, I didn’t even know if I wanted to swim in college. But, the team spirit and excitement during meets made me realize that I wanted to keep on swimming in college,” said Cornell. “Especially when I was around the swim team, I got so excited. Everyone seemed like family and that made me realize that I belonged here and I should keep on swimming.”

She visited Rowan during her junior year of high school during a swim open house, where she got a chance to meet head coach Elise Fisher and get a tour of campus. Her decision to come to Rowan was solidified after that visit.

“I noticed how much they [the team] bonded with each other, and it was really special,” said Cornell. “Honestly, I didn’t really look at other schools because I realized how close the team was with each other and I really enjoyed that.”

Looking towards the future, she has many ambitious goals for herself, with her eyes set on smashing the program record in the 200 breaststroke at some point over the course of her career.

“I want us to place higher in the NJAC and I do want to beat the 200 breast record, which would be pretty nice in the future,” Cornell said. “But as a team, I really want us to place higher together overall.”

Now reaching the middle part of the season, Cornell finds herself as a key asset for her team, looking to make a statement during her rookie season and help her team place higher in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) ahead of the conference and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III championships.

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