Sophia Fishman

Contributing Writer

As the East Stroudsburg women’s swim team jumps into a new year, they also receive a new captain. Every year before the swim season comes to an end, the team votes on who they think would be the best two captains for the next upcoming season.

The two voted in for this season are Vera Renshof, who is a returning team captain from last season, and Kennedy Leveto, who will be captain for the first time ever.

Leveto is in her senior year majoring in marketing. Her hometown is Herndon, Va. and she is a breaststroker and freestyler. She has been a member of the swim team for all four years of her college career. She said she felt “a mix of shock and pride” when she was elected the role of captain.

“I hope to help maintain our fun team culture. It really does feel as if I’m hanging out with a group of sisters, and I’d love to keep the tight bond strong,” said Leveto when asked about the impact she wishes to make this upcoming season.

“I hope to be a good leader by listening to my teammates, their concerns, and their ideas specifically,” said Leveto when asked how she wishes to achieve good leadership. “I want to be someone who can take criticism and serve my team well. And also be a part of the team, still be in the middle of our crazy little family, having fun! To achieve this, I plan to maintain an open mind and a team-first attitude.”

Leveto doesn’t just make an impact with being a good leader, but she also makes an impact in the water too, qualifying for multiple events for the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) last season, it is clear she is makes an impact in and out of the pool.

The swim team’s other captain, Vera Renshof, is heading into her second year as captain.

Renshof is in her senior year as well, majoring in public health. Renshof is from Barneveld in the Netherlands. She is a freestyler, placing first in the 200 freestyle event at the PSACs last season.

“I really enjoyed being a team captain last year and I am really grateful I get to do it again this year,” said Renshof.

“I think Kennedy will do great this year. Me and Kennedy work really well together,” she said when asked about her expectations for the upcoming season. “Kennedy is a great leader and I feel like we will be able to do a lot of great things for the team this year. We have a few ideas of fun things we can do this year.”

With this year’s East Stroudsburg women’s swim team having two great captions and a pretty promising roster, this year’s season seems to have a great look for them coming up.