Eagles’ Keane to Swim at CCSU / Wethersfield’s Strong to Play Soccer at Johnson and Wales

Wethersfield's Abbey Keane will swim at CCSU / ​Wethersfield's Sammie Strong, pictured with parents Brad and Iris, will play soccer at Johnson and Wales

2020 Wethersfield High graduate Abbey Keane will attend Central Connecticut State University and join the Blue Devils swimming team this fall. Keane was a four-year letter winner for the swimming and diving team at WHS, serving as a captain this past season, along with earning all-conference in 2016, 2018, and 2019. She was instrumental in helping the Eagles win the CCC East Division title every season she swam. Last season, she earned all-state in the 200-freestyle event.

Through four years at WHS, Keane was on the honor roll every year and was named to the CCC All-American team. She also participated in the Hunger project, Unified Sports, freshman tour guides, basketball, and Young Democrats.

Outside of school, Keane is a swim instructor for CT Swim, a lifeguard for the town of Wethersfield, a CCD teacher at Christ the King Parish, and a Keane Foundation volunteer.

At CCSU she will join a strong Blue Devils team and compete in the highly competitive NEC (Northeast Conference).      

Keane said of her decision to attend CCSU, “I chose Central for a couple reasons, when I went to visit the swim girls were so welcoming and easy to get it know.  Coach Bill [Ball] and coach Alex [Albert] also made me feel right at home, as I was looking for program that could challenge me, I knew it would be a good fit. Coming from Wethersfield Swim program with [coach] Lee [Schwartzman], I could see a lot similarities throughout the team. After I finished at the State Open this year, I knew swimming was something I couldn’t just walk away from after high school. I am also looking to get my degree in education and CCSU has a great program so I was confident that it was a perfect fit all around. I am really excited to see what Central has in store for me.” 

2020 Wethersfield High graduate Samantha Strong will soon be playing soccer and furthering her academic career at Johnson and Wales in Providence, Rhode Island. Strong played soccer for all four years at WHS, starring as a midfielder/defender and was an integral part of the 2019 squad that won the CCC North Divisional championship. She was also named to the CCC All-Academic team this past fall. 

Prior to arriving at the high school, Strong was a member of the George D. Ritchie Soccer Club and CFC. At Wethersfield High, she was a participant in the Interact Club and Science Club, as well as a member of National Honor Society and Social Studies Honor Society. Strong was a consistent honor roll student and challenged herself by taking AP Spanish, AP Literacy Inquiry, AP Psychology, and AP Physics.

Outside of WHS, Strong volunteered at Hartford Hospital and the Rocky Hill Soccer Club.

At JWU, Strong will study health science with a Pre-PA concentration and will be joining a Wildcat soccer team that is coming off a tourney appearance in the 2019 Division III National Championship tournament. 

​Strong said of her decision to attend JWU, “I chose Johnson and Wales because it gives me everything I am looking for in a school. I plan to major in health sciences which will put me on the path to become a Physician Assistant. I’m going to be playing soccer and the school is in a great location so I can meet new people and have new experiences. I’m excited to play college soccer because it is a sport I love and enjoy. I look forward to the new challenges it will bring.”


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