Lady Sea Lions swimming stalwart Brandes pens next chapter in illustrious career, will further education and athletic journey at Hobart William Smith College this Fall

[PHOTOS PROVIDED]

WELLSVILLE — The Wellsville Sea Lions have seen a tremendous amount of success. Success like no other in years past for the program. Every year since she began laying down a foundation of her own back in 7th grade, Tiernee Brandes has been a force to be reckoned with.

A Rookie of the Year winner in her debut season, on top of an MVP-caliber season last year, Brandes has now begun the process of taking the next step forward after helping her Lady Sea Lions squad towards a third straight Section V championship in the water. After concluding her final season with the team, the time to mull a decision to further her electric and outstanding career had come.

That was made this past Thursday alongside her coaches and family.

With a pen in hand, Brandes went on to sign away her future which will now be spent at Hobart William Smith College in Geneva, beginning this Fall, she will become the swimming team’s go-to backstroker. Along with the continuance of her athletic career, she will also advance her education by aiming for a major in Marine Biology along with a minor in Aquatic Sciences.

Wellsville’s head coach, Steve Hand, offered his best wishes to one of the elite and premier swimmers of his program for the last several years.

“It was a good day sending off another swimmer to continue her swimming career at college. Tiernee has played a major role in the continued success of his program,” he said. “She helped the team win its first LCAA title, as well as the first Section V title, which we’ve won the last three years. She’s an individual champion in the Section, as well as a champion in relays. We will all miss her years of experience and knowledge, but also her one-of-a-kind personality. She has a lot left to accomplish in the pool, and moving onto the next level, she will reach her goals. It’s nice to see these kids continue their success both in the classroom and in the athletic fields. In our case, the pool.”

The journey for Brandes began when she was eight years old, swimming for the Genesee Valley AquaJags. She would spend the next nine years perfecting her craft in the water while eventually making the big move up to the Varsity program beginning in 7th grade. In her debut season, Brandes would go on to earn Rookie of the Year honors, helping establish the foundation throughout her career.

Brandes will leave behind a legacy of epic proportions with the Lady Sea Lions, one that includes an MVP performance in her junior year. She was a part of the team’s dominant 200 medley relay team which has been accountable for breaking school records the last three seasons, leading to Sectional patches each time. Along with numerous Livingston County Athletic Association titles, she would become an Individual Sectional champion in the backstroke last season, assisting in paving the way forward for the team to repeat as team champions for three consecutive years.

We at WellsvilleSports.com would like to wish Tiernee all the very best moving forward!