Sept. 25, 2017

BALTIMORE, MD – Johns Hopkins swim coach Scott Armstrong welcomes six newcomers for the 2017-18 season. The six freshmen, who hail from four different states, join a Blue Jay squad that finished in ninth place at the 2017 NCAA Championships.

Complete bios for all six student-athletes are below:

Hanan Bandak
5’6”
Potomac, MD • Winston Churchill
Helped team to Washington Metropolitan Championships as a freshman and sophomore • led team to state championship as a sophomore • state runner-up as a freshman and third place as a junior • runner-up at Washington Metropolitan Championships as a junior and third place as a senior • swam six years with Rockville Montgomery Swim Club • RMSC National Team • two-time All-American in 200 Medley Relay • school record holder in 100 Breast, 200 Medley Relay • state record holder in 400 Free Relay • Girl Scout • Presidential Volunteer Award • majoring in behavioral biology.

Makalya Bisignani
6’0”
Latrobe, PA • Greensburg Central Catholic
Four-time district/state qualifier • two-time county champion and record holder in 50 Free • Tribune Review Athlete of the Year as a senior • plays the piano and trumpet • Bible School volunteer • hospital volunteer • sister, Leah, plays volleyball at Seton Hill • Greensburg Central Catholic Valedictorian • swam 12 years with Greensburg YMCA • also competed in volleyball and track and field • two-time volleyball state champion • three-time first team all-state • state qualifier in high jump and discus • district runner-up in high jump • majoring in public health.

Carmela Irato
5’4”
New York, NY • The Beacon School
Swam eight years with Asphalt Green Unified Aquatics • NCSA Junior National qualifier •• intern at Mount Sinai Cardiometabolics Unit • drafted paper for medical journal study on hypercholesterolemia • major is undecided.

Emma McElrath
5’7”
Albany, NY • Shaker High School
Swam two years with Schenectady Saratoga Swim Club • volunteer with Special Olympics • majoring in chemistry.

Amy Pearson
5’7”
St. Charles, IL • St. Charles East
Swam 11 years with St. Charles Swim Team • Junior National Qualifier and state champion • father, Kent, swam at Iowa and was later an assistant coach for the Hawkeyes • academic all-conference • Illinois State Scholar • AP Scholar with Distinction • majoring in molecular and cellular biology.

Lara Tiffany
5’7”
Staten Island, NY • McKee Staten Island Tech High School
Team captain • four-time Staten Island Advance All-Star • helped team to conference semifinals as junior and senior • helped team to conference quarterfinals as a freshman and sophomore • swam 10 years with Asphalt Green Unified Aquatics • Development Intern at Asphalt Green • National Honor Society • marching band drum major and flute section leader • AP Scholar • majoring in engineering.