University of Maryland, Baltimore County

2018-19:

• Earned gold and set a personal best in the 100 breast at the America East Championships with a time of 1:02.46.
• Also finished fourth in the 50 free (23.74) and 100 free (51.94), both personal best times.
• Helped UMBC break the school record in the 200 free relay with a time of 1:33.52.
• Helped the Retrievers set a new pool record in the 400 medley relay (3:50.00) against Howard.
• At the Patriot Invitational, finished 18th in the 100 breast with a time of 1:06.27 and 15th in the 100 free with a time of 53.07.
• Designated as the America East Winter Scholar-Athlete for Women’s Swimming and Diving.
• Named an America East Presidential Scholar.
• Selected to the America East All-Academic Team for the second year.

2017-18: Two-time finalist at the America East Championships… Set a personal-best time of 2:18.93 in the 200 breast, earning a silver medal… Also earned a bronze in the 100 breast in a personal-best time of 1:04.14… Helped the women earn a silver in the 400 medley relay and a bronze in the 200 free relay… At the ECAC Championships, swam a personal-best in the 100 free, clocking in with a time of 52.66… Also earned a tenth place finish in the 100 breast with a time of 1:04.78… Helped the women to a seventh place finish in the 200 medley relay… Earned All-America East honors… Named to the America East All-Academic Team.

2016-17: Swam in the A finals at the America East Championships… Set seasons-best in the 100 breast with a time of 1:03.54 and placing fourth… Also placed sixth in the 200 Breast with a season best of 2:20.34... Named to the America East Commissioner's Honor Roll.

2015-16: Popalis made a big splash during her first season as a Retriever... She earned bronze at the America East Championships in the 100 breast to help UMBC claim their second straight America East Championship... She finished the race in 1:04.65... She also set season best times at the championships in the 50 free (24.81), 100 fly (1:00.47), and 200 breast (2:20.48).

Background: Member of Diplomat Swim Club… Earned All American and All State honors after her senior year… Lancaster-Lebanon League All Star her junior and senior seasons…  Also lettered in softball at Hempfield High School… An active member of the National Honor Society, Society of Academic Excellence in a Foreign Language, Honor Roll and MiniThon Committee.

Personal: Daughter of Bruce and Gina Popalis… Has two  siblings, Tayler and Alissa… Lists favorite pro team as the Phillies… Currently undecided on a major.