Laura and Elizabeth Jones have been swimming together for over 14 years. With the end of their senior seasons drawing near, they will not only be saying goodbye to swimming together on the collegiate level, but a lifetime of being teammates.

“You have good memories but also some tough memories. But, we got through it together and we have basically built a life off of swimming, in a way,” said Laura Jones. “Letting that go is going to be very difficult.”

Laura Jones, who was named to the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Second Team last season in the 50 freestyle, has contributed multiple top-three finishes in the event this season.

She finished first against Stevens (25.27) and TCNJ (25.05), second versus Salisbury (25.09) and Montclair State (25.12), and third while facing No. 3 New York University (25.19).

Her sister Elizabeth has also finished with numerous top-three times at meets this year, including a third-place finish against Montclair State in the 100 free (56.12).

The two sisters also frequently find themselves a part of numerous winning relays, notching first-place finishes alongside their teammates against Stevens in the 400 free (3:45.91), facing Montclair State in the 200 free (1:41.12), and securing a season-best time in the 200 versus TCNJ in the 400 free (3:43.24).

“We’ve had this story of continuing to push ourselves while supporting each other,” said Elizabeth Jones. “It’s been great to see that reflected in every competition we’ve been to.”

Head Coach Elise Fisher reflected on what this senior class she recruited has meant to her team.

“I think having them see all four years through and what they’ve brought to the program in terms of leadership and improvement for themselves, I think speaks a lot about where the program is headed,” said Fisher. “I’m sad to lose them. I think they’ve been an integral piece of the growth of our program since I have become the head coach. And so it certainly won’t be the same without them.”

As for Laura and Elizabeth, she says she has loved watching the two develop not just as sisters, but as individual athletes over their careers at Rowan.

“When I recruited them, I was diligent that I would coach them as separate athletes, though they are sisters. I think that they’ve done a good job at shining in their own way and both of them have seen a tremendous amount of growth, not just as athletes, but as people,” said Fisher. “I think that they’ve overcome a lot in every facet of our sport and so I’m excited to see what they do moving forward.”

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