Penn State freshman Teddy Perelli remembers the first time he met fellow swimmer Nikolette Nolte.
The two had committed to swim for Penn State last fall, and had gotten to know each other through a group chat with other commits. But they didn’t meet in person until April, when Perelli, from the Charlotte, N.C., area, made the drive to Greensboro to watch some of his friends compete in the YMCA National Championship meet, where Nolte was also competing.
“She gave me the biggest hug think I’ve ever received,” Perelli said. “It’s so incredible that someone can be that positive, but she’s just a light and she makes me so happy.