Upcoming Event: Swimming & Diving versus North Carolina on October 17, 2025 at 4 p.m. Diving / 5 p.m. Swimming
/
4 p.m. Diving / 5 p.m. Swimming
Swimming & Diving
vs North Carolina
Signed: Catherine Purnell
5/8/2020 11:52:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
DURHAM, N.C. – Duke swimming and diving head coach Dan Colella announced the incoming freshman class for the 2020-21 season. With the announcement, GoDuke.com will be highlighting all 15 signees in the coming weeks.
Â
Catherine Purnell will make her way to Durham to join the Duke swimming and diving program following graduation from Stonewall Jackson High School. The Manassas, Va., native competes in freestyle, butterfly and individual medley.
Â
"The combination of athletics and academics at Duke is unparalleled by other schools," Purnell said. "The coaches are very supportive and we connected well. When I met the team, I knew that there was no other school. They made Duke home. The atmosphere is amazing and I cannot wait to be a part of it!"
Â
Purnell swam under head coach Faren Ahrens at Stonewall Jackson. She was a three-time All-America selection, being chosen in the 200 individual medley and 500 freestyle her junior year and in the 500 freestyle her senior year. At the 6A Virginia State meets, Purnell won the 500 freestyle and was runner-up in the 200 individual medley as a senior. During her junior year, she was runner up in the 500 freestyle and 200 individual medley. As a sophomore, Purnell placed third in the 500 freestyle. In addition, she was a three-time Scholastic All-American.
Â
On the club scene, Purnell was a member of Nation's Capital Swim Club and was coached by Jeremy Linn. In her last year at the club, she was a US Open finalist in the 400 individual medley, 400 freestyle and 200 butterfly. In addition, during her junior season she was a NCSA Jr. Nationals finalist in two events, including a fourth-place finish in the 200 freestyle.
Â
Out of the pool, Purnell was the vice president of the Stonewall Jackson High School National Honor Society her senior year. In addition, she was a member of the Science National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society her junior and senior years.
Â
Catherine Naomi Purnell was born to parents Timothy and Candice Purnell on February 26, 2002 in Fairfax, Va. She has three older sisters in Grace, Abby and Natalie. Natalie recently graduated from Florida State University after being a member of their swimming and diving program and captaining the team for the 2018-19 season.
Â
#GoDuke
Â
Catherine Purnell will make her way to Durham to join the Duke swimming and diving program following graduation from Stonewall Jackson High School. The Manassas, Va., native competes in freestyle, butterfly and individual medley.
Â
"The combination of athletics and academics at Duke is unparalleled by other schools," Purnell said. "The coaches are very supportive and we connected well. When I met the team, I knew that there was no other school. They made Duke home. The atmosphere is amazing and I cannot wait to be a part of it!"
Â
Purnell swam under head coach Faren Ahrens at Stonewall Jackson. She was a three-time All-America selection, being chosen in the 200 individual medley and 500 freestyle her junior year and in the 500 freestyle her senior year. At the 6A Virginia State meets, Purnell won the 500 freestyle and was runner-up in the 200 individual medley as a senior. During her junior year, she was runner up in the 500 freestyle and 200 individual medley. As a sophomore, Purnell placed third in the 500 freestyle. In addition, she was a three-time Scholastic All-American.
Â
On the club scene, Purnell was a member of Nation's Capital Swim Club and was coached by Jeremy Linn. In her last year at the club, she was a US Open finalist in the 400 individual medley, 400 freestyle and 200 butterfly. In addition, during her junior season she was a NCSA Jr. Nationals finalist in two events, including a fourth-place finish in the 200 freestyle.
Â
Out of the pool, Purnell was the vice president of the Stonewall Jackson High School National Honor Society her senior year. In addition, she was a member of the Science National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society her junior and senior years.
Â
Catherine Naomi Purnell was born to parents Timothy and Candice Purnell on February 26, 2002 in Fairfax, Va. She has three older sisters in Grace, Abby and Natalie. Natalie recently graduated from Florida State University after being a member of their swimming and diving program and captaining the team for the 2018-19 season.
Â
#GoDuke
Duke Athletics: A Tour of Campus
Saturday, October 19
A Century of Blue Devil Brilliance
Saturday, October 19
Senior Social Kick: Kevin Explains Cubed Food Theory
Friday, March 10
Senior Social Kick: Brad Solves a Rubik's Cube
Friday, March 10
