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Stamford Swimmer Finds College Home At Villanova

STAMFORD, Conn. -- Ausra McKenna knew early on that Stamford’s Samantha Cheruk would fit in with the Wilton Wahoos swim team. And she’s not surprised that Cheruk, who started her career at The Italian Center with McKenna, wound up with a college scholarship.

Stamford's Samantha Cheruk signed a letter of intent last week to swim at Villanova University. She was one of four members of the Wilton Wahoos to swim to announce their college selections.

Stamford's Samantha Cheruk signed a letter of intent last week to swim at Villanova University. She was one of four members of the Wilton Wahoos to swim to announce their college selections.

Photo Credit: Tom Renner

“You could just tell she was very dedicated,’’ said McKenna, who recommended that Cheruk move on from the Italian Center for better competition in Wilton. “And I knew she had the ability to do it. I’m not surprised at all.”

Cheruk, a senior at Westhill High School, was one of four Wilton Wahoos swimmers to announce their college plans last week. While the other three members live in Wilton, Cheruk and her family made the daily journey from Stamford to Wilton. She joined Wilton when she was 10 years old.

“It was really nice of Ausra to suggest that I go to Wilton,’’ said Cheruk, a sprinter. “Some coaches wouldn’t do that. It turned out that it was the right decision.”

Cheruk started swimming to help fight her asthma. McKenna said she thought Cheruk would outgrow it.

“That happens a lot of times with kids,’’ McKenna said. “I thought that would be the case with her.”

After swimming for the Westhill High School team as a freshman, Cheruk committed to Wilton full time. “It was a chance to swim against good competition year-round,’’ Cheruk said.

Cheruk is a sprint freestyler, has been a frequent contestant for the Wahoos in state and national competitions. She was named a USA Swimming Scholastic All-American and a Connecticut Scholar Athlete and has helped the Wahoos remain among the nation's elite club teams.

She will head to a Villanova program that won the Big East championship last year. Andrew Stotesbury of Greenwich and Jake Hoin of Greenwich are freshmen for the Wildcats, and the women’s team includes Mary Spillane of Trumbull.

“Villanova was focused on recruiting sprinters,’’ Cheruk said. “They want to improve their relay teams. I think there are four other sprinters that are going there.”

Cheruk said she instantly fell in love with the Villanova campus, which is right outside Philadelphia.

“I was looking for a school near a city, but not necessarily in a city,’’ she said. “I enjoy going to New York, and this is right next to Philadelphia, so I liked that. I can also do my community service work there. That was very important to me.”

After visiting other schools, Cheruk said it was clear Villanova would become her home for the next four years.

“It had everything I wanted,’’ she said. “I’m proud to be a Wildcat.”

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