SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Senior swimmer Erin Crooks will swim at Lafayette College next fall, joining the Leopard’s Division I program in the Patriot League.

“It feels really good,” said Crooks. “It is nice knowing my college search is over and I have found a place that I am excited about. I am looking forward to spending four years at Lafayette and the opportunities I will have.”

Crooks was drawn to the complete experience offered on the Easton, Pa., campus.

“It gives me the balance with the great academics along with the great swimming,” said Crooks. “The academics were very important to me and I was able to find (the right mix) with Lafayette on the East Coast. “The Patriot League is referred to as the mini Ivys because they have both the exceptional academics and Division I competition, but with a smaller student body”. 

In the classroom, the Patriot League’s full-member institutions, individually and collectively, consistently rank among the top Division I programs in the NCAA Graduation Rates Report.  Full League members include American, Army, Boston University, Bucknell, Colgate, Holy Cross, Lafayette, Lehigh, Loyola Maryland and Navy. 

Crooks will swim for 19-year veteran coach Jim Daily. The Leopards have won a total of 35 individual league titles and been named to the CSCAA Academic All-American list 37 of the last 38 semesters.

“I loved the team and coach,” said Crooks. “The coach drew me in and he seemed like such a great guy.  He is easy to work with and very motivational. Coach Jim’s flexibility will allow me to have the opportunity to do other things in college besides swimming.”

Crooks, who plans to study government and law or possibly public policy, wanted to have the full college experience.

A three-year letter winner on the St. Francis swim team, Crooks finished second at the Delta River League meet in the 200-yard individual medley (2:14.74). She has a personal best of 2:12.00 in the event, while recording times of 2:08.8 in the 200 butterfly and 2:27 in the 200 breaststroke. She has also clocked a best of 1:08.27 in the 100 breast and 58.50 in the 100 fly. At the section meet last season, she finished sixth in the consolation final of the 100 fly (1:00.59).

“She has really developed as a butterflyer. Her strength is the 200 butterfly vs. the 100 butterfly in high school swimming,” said Head Coach Richard Levin.

Crooks, who swam at the National Age-Group Swimming Association (NASA) Junior National Championship Cup in Clearwater, Fla. last year for the first time, was one of the team captains for the Delta River League champions last year.

“It really is an honor,” said Crooks about serving as a captain. “Swimming is something that is a big part of my life. To be able to lead my high school friends in swimming is something I like to do. We want to have a lot of team spirit.”

Levin says Crooks’ versatility in the pool will be an asset to the Lafayette program.

“With her being an all-around swimmer and strong in both the butterfly and breaststroke, she can do both and that is huge plus for any coach.”

Crooks has big plans for her final season with the Troubadours.

“My hopes this year are to have a really good sections and end on a really good note,” said Crooks.

Crooks will be one of several Troubadour seniors participating in a NLI/College Commitment event at St. Francis on Nov. 12 at 9 a.m.