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Incoming student-athletes for fencing, softball, track and field, cross country, and swimming and diving programs talk about their “Why Penn?”
By Justin Lee
3 hours ago
Penn student-athlete commits for fencing, softball, track and field, cross country, and swimming and diving talk about their excitement to join the Quakers.
Credit: Weining Ding
With a new year comes a new class of recruits.
In collegiate sports, rosters are ever-changing. It’s hard not to focus on the acclaimed seniors at the end of their journeys, but as time ticks by, interesting new faces join Penn’s many esteemed athletic programs in hopes of success. The Daily Pennsylvanian spoke with five Class of 2029 student-athletes about their aspirations, their sports journey, and why they chose Penn.
Misha Gujja
A native of New York’s Long Island, Gujja plans to join team épée fencing at Penn as a walk-on for one of six spots. She spoke with fencing coach Andy Ma, and though she wasn’t recruited for a roster spot, she knew she loved Penn and the program’s atmosphere.
“The [enthusiasm] was infectious .… I love having that team energy and the support of the people,” Gujja said.
Gujja started fencing at a young age, competing in various national championships. She placed second in the Brentwood Holiday Tournament in women’s épée on Dec. 14, 2024.
“A lot of people see it as a very aggressive sport,” Gujja remarked. “There’s a lot of thinking that goes into every action, and I feel like that’s missed often.”
Misha is most excited about Penn’s social and professional opportunities as she plans to study biophysics in the College of Arts and Sciences.
“I’m so excited to learn about different perspectives and make friends with people from all over the world,” Gujja said.
Caroline Putnam
Just across the Hudson River from Gujja is Caroline Putnam. The Summit, N.J. native will be playing softball for the Quakers. Like Gujja, Putnam enjoys the experience of a team sport.
“One of my main goals is definitely to have a team experience, with everyone playing for each other rather than everyone playing for themselves,” Putnam said.
A catcher and first baseman, Putnam owes her life-long experience with softball to her mother who played for Montclair State University. After speaking with coach Christie Novatin and her teammates, she verbally committed on the spot to Penn in September 2024. She hopes to continue fostering close connections with the team.
“I’m looking forward to having a very selfless mindset and working … for each other,” Putnam said.
Putnam looks forward to the opportunities in Philadelphia, being just two hours away from her home. While she finds comfort in her proximity to her hometown, she is eager for a “fresh start.”
“I’m super excited to study things I’m actually interested in … and enjoy it while I’m [in] Philly,” Putnam said.
Shamus Larnard
Continuing our trend of East Coasters, Shamus Larnard comes from Boston and will be running track and cross country for the Red and Blue. His running journey began in his freshman year of high school when he first signed up for the team.
“It was a noncut [or no-tryout] sport, so I gave it a try … and I hit the ground running and did pretty well,” Larnard said. “[I] met so many nice people .… It has truly been a blessing in my life.”
Larnard specializes in running the mile, where he placed first in the New Balance Indoor Nationals track competition with a personal-best mile time at 4 minutes, 18 seconds in March 2024. At Penn, Shamus hopes to improve his times, especially for his specialty in the mile.
Larnard said, “I think one of my main goals is to try to be in the top seven … and [break] four minutes in the mile.”
Larnard is most excited about the community at Penn.
“The guys … and coach [Steve] Dolan really made me feel at home,” Larnard said. “[Coach] really took the time to actually care about me as an individual rather than as just a time.”
Sofia Swindell
Traveling back to the Garden State, Sofia Swindell is from Lawrence, N.J. and also plans to compete in the track and field program. Swindell began sprinting in elementary school, eventually specializing in hurdles in high school. Her brother, who ran extensively in his senior season in high school, “gave [track] his all” and inspired her to start her journey.
“I had a feeling that I was fast, and my older brother ran track, so I wanted to get into it to see how fast I could be,” Swindell said.
Growing up in Saint Croix in the Virgin Islands gave Swindell a unique opportunity to compete with the US Virgin Islands national team, where she received the bronze medal in 100-meter hurdles at the 51st Caribbean Free Trade Association Games in March and April 2024.
“That was my first time ever running 13 seconds in 100 [-meter] hurdles,” Swindell said. “When I saw my name pop up through [the board], I was so happy.”
With a 14-second time in 100-meter hurdles in May 2024, she also qualified for the World Junior Championships in Peru. While at Penn, Swindell hopes to run on the national stage at NCAA championships and the international stage.
“The Olympics will be … after my junior year,” Swindell said. “I want to be there .… It sounds crazy to say, but … it’s something I’m definitely set on.”
Hannah Pecze
To round out this list of commits is a swimmer from Round Rock, Texas. Swimming now for ten years, Hannah Pecze enjoys the lasting team bond forged at high school swim meets specifically.
“This year more than other years, I really bonded with my teammates on the high school team,” Pecze reflected. “Those meets are just so fun … [because of] the supportive aspect.”
Pecze, a breaststroke specialist, has attended many swim meets in her high school and across Texas, and she practices up to 20 hours per week.
“[People] think we just splash around in the pool … but it’s a hard sport,” Pecze said.
Her commitment to working hard during practices has led her to many state-level swim meets, where she placed eighth in the 100-meter breaststroke at the USA Swimming Futures Championship in Austin in July 2024.
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“My biggest goal next year will be to get an NCAA B cut,” Pecze said.
She looks forward to swim meets at Penn and the social opportunities in Philadelphia.
“Everyone has lived [in Round Rock] forever, so I am really excited to meet people from all over the world,” Pecze said.
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