The YMCA of Burlington and Camden Counties’ Phoenix Swim Team has announced that 17-year-old Brendan Finnegan of Haddonfield has committed to Fairfield University in Fairfield, Connecticut for next fall.
Finnegan started swimming at just 10 months old through the YMCA’s Mommy & Me swim classes. He received both Rookie of the Year and Most Outstanding Swimmer awards at Haddonfield Memorial High School, where he swam on the varsity team all four years.
“I am so proud of Brendan, Fairfield will not be easy,” said Chris Brookover, head coach of the YBCC Phoenix and director of competitive swimming at the YMCA of Burlington and Camden Counties. “I know Coach Janelle and she will challenge Brendan to be his best. This choice really shows Brendan’s character and he is a role model for every swimmer in our program.”
In addition to touring Fairfield University, Finnegan also went on several recruiting trips to other schools. After touring the campus in October of 2014 and meeting with Head Coach Janelle Atkinson-Wignall, he knew that Fairfield University was the right fit for him, both academically and athletically.
“When reaching out to colleges, I had to inform them all of a few recent injuries I sustained from swimming,” Finnegan said. “During my conversations with the coaches, I felt that Coach Janelle was the most supportive of me.”
Finnegan tore several rotator cuff tendons in his right shoulder in March of 2014. Later that year, Finnegan sustained a more severe injury to his left rotator cuff, including tearing the long head of his biceps tendon and his labrum, all connected with overtraining in the water.
“It was extremely frustrating to be told I needed to stay out of the water completely to heal. Coach Janelle was very reassuring when I reached out to her, as she herself had overcome her own shoulder injuries,” Finnegan said.
As part of his treatment, Finnegan received Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy, a series of minimally invasive treatments that would help him avoid surgery. Finnegan credits Dr. Kimmel of Lourdes Care Sports Medicine with giving him the option to peruse this line of treatment. Additionally, Finnegan sought help from Dean Hutchinson, a USA swim coach and physical therapist at Strive Physical Therapy who helped him both physically and mentally overcome his injury and begin his recovery process.
“When I was finally able to get back in the pool and actually start to swim again in September, Coach Brookover was there to help me — he literally picked up the pieces and helped me start my training over again,” Finnegan said. “He was able to help me make my dream of swimming in college a reality.”
Finnegan resides in Haddonfield with his parents and sister.
For more information or to register for the Y’s competitive swimming program, contact Chris Brookover at (856) 231–9622 x242, chrisb@ymca-bc.org or visit ymca-bc.org.
