Colorado State University Athletics
Woodard Adds Trio of Transfers to Roster
5/24/2023 10:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming & Diving
Pair of Colorado products sets to join Rams for 2023-24
FORT COLLINS, Colo.  – A pair of swimmers are returning to the Centennial State as Christopher Woodard announced the addition of three transfers Wednesday for the upcoming season.
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Sophia Hemingway and Rylee O'Neil, both in-state products, will join the squad, as will graduate transfer Sydney VanOvermeiren.
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"We're so excited to have these women who are great team players and high level performers in The Fort this season," Woodard said.
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Sophia Hemingway | Morrison, Colo. | Dakota Ridge HS (American)
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After one season at American University, she adds depth to the roster as a sprint backstroker. She was a two-event placer at the Patriot League Championships, as well as a key member of relay teams. She placed placed eighth in the 100-yard backstroke in the Patriot League, posting a finals time of 57.15. She was 12th at the meet in the 200 backstroke in 2:02.10 and swam legs on the 200 and 400 medley relays, as well as the 200 free quad. As a high school senior, Hemingway was the 4A state runner-up in the 100 backstroke and placed ninth in the 100 freestyle.
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Said Woodard: "We're so glad to welcome Sophia back to Colorado. She was someone we pursued in high school, and we know she can add some punch to our lineup in the backstroke events."
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Rylee O'Neil | Fort Collins, Colo. | Fossil Ridge HS (Missouri)
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In two seasons with the Tigers, she displayed her versatility in the lanes, posting strong times in the individual medley, backstroke, butterfly and breaststroke. She logged personal bests of 2:01.27 in the 200 butterfly, a 2:18.22 in the 200 breaststroke and a 2:03.04 in the 200 IM. As a prep, she set the Montana state long course record in the 400 IM, then after moving to Colorado, helped Fossil Ridge capture the 5A state championship in 2021 by placing seventh in both the 100 butterfly and 100 breaststroke, as well as turning in legs for the state champion 200 medley and 400 free relay teams.
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Said Woodard: "Rylee O'Neil comes back home, and we are thrilled. She can handle nearly every event at a very high level and will be a major factor this season."
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Sydney VanOvermeiren | Oswego, Ill. | Rosary HS (Florida State)
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The most veteran addition of the bunch, she provides a wide swath of abilities and All-American credentials to the table. She was a 2020 All-American in the 400 IM after placing 11th in the event, her sophomore campaign. This past season, she placed 15th at the ACC Championships in the 400 IM in 4:16.54 with a lifetime best in the event of 4:10.36. Her collegiate bests in the two breaststroke events and the 100 butterfly all make her a threat for the Rams in the upcoming campaign.
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Said Woodard: "The Rams are getting a good one in Sydney VanOvermeiren, as all her coaches say. We're excited about what she can do across many disciplines, as she can impact our lineup immediately with her experience and elite racing."
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Sophia Hemingway and Rylee O'Neil, both in-state products, will join the squad, as will graduate transfer Sydney VanOvermeiren.
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"We're so excited to have these women who are great team players and high level performers in The Fort this season," Woodard said.
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Sophia Hemingway | Morrison, Colo. | Dakota Ridge HS (American)
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After one season at American University, she adds depth to the roster as a sprint backstroker. She was a two-event placer at the Patriot League Championships, as well as a key member of relay teams. She placed placed eighth in the 100-yard backstroke in the Patriot League, posting a finals time of 57.15. She was 12th at the meet in the 200 backstroke in 2:02.10 and swam legs on the 200 and 400 medley relays, as well as the 200 free quad. As a high school senior, Hemingway was the 4A state runner-up in the 100 backstroke and placed ninth in the 100 freestyle.
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Said Woodard: "We're so glad to welcome Sophia back to Colorado. She was someone we pursued in high school, and we know she can add some punch to our lineup in the backstroke events."
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Rylee O'Neil | Fort Collins, Colo. | Fossil Ridge HS (Missouri)
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In two seasons with the Tigers, she displayed her versatility in the lanes, posting strong times in the individual medley, backstroke, butterfly and breaststroke. She logged personal bests of 2:01.27 in the 200 butterfly, a 2:18.22 in the 200 breaststroke and a 2:03.04 in the 200 IM. As a prep, she set the Montana state long course record in the 400 IM, then after moving to Colorado, helped Fossil Ridge capture the 5A state championship in 2021 by placing seventh in both the 100 butterfly and 100 breaststroke, as well as turning in legs for the state champion 200 medley and 400 free relay teams.
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Said Woodard: "Rylee O'Neil comes back home, and we are thrilled. She can handle nearly every event at a very high level and will be a major factor this season."
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Sydney VanOvermeiren | Oswego, Ill. | Rosary HS (Florida State)
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The most veteran addition of the bunch, she provides a wide swath of abilities and All-American credentials to the table. She was a 2020 All-American in the 400 IM after placing 11th in the event, her sophomore campaign. This past season, she placed 15th at the ACC Championships in the 400 IM in 4:16.54 with a lifetime best in the event of 4:10.36. Her collegiate bests in the two breaststroke events and the 100 butterfly all make her a threat for the Rams in the upcoming campaign.
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Said Woodard: "The Rams are getting a good one in Sydney VanOvermeiren, as all her coaches say. We're excited about what she can do across many disciplines, as she can impact our lineup immediately with her experience and elite racing."
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