Bouillenne-Duchenne Will Join Fordham in Fall 2027
The French standout swimmer has announced her commitment to join the Rams for the 2027 season.
Updated on Sept. 20, 2026 in Swimming
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Olympic Nice Natation swimmer Brunelle Bouillenne-Duchenne has officially committed to join Fordham University in New York City. She is set to arrive on campus in fall 2027 as a member of the class of 2031.
Why it matters
The addition of a internationally recognized athlete strengthens the Rams' roster following the team's 5th place finish at the 2026 Atlantic-10 Championships. Bouillenne-Duchenne plans to pursue studies in political science and international relations while competing at the Division I level.
At the 2026 French Nationals, Bouillenne-Duchenne clocked times of 2:35.74 in the 200-meter breaststroke and 1:11.98 in the 100-meter breaststroke. She joins a Fordham program that secured 371 points to finish 5th at the 2026 Atlantic-10 Championships.
The players
Brunelle Bouillenne-Duchenne
She is a French competitive swimmer and high-level athlete who trains with the Olympic Nice Natation club.
Fordham University
This is a private research university in New York City that competes in the Atlantic-10 Conference.
The details
Bouillenne-Duchenne, who was named to the French Sports Ministry list of promising high-level athletes in 2023, currently trains with Olympic Nice Natation. She brings high-level competitive experience from the French National B-finals to the New York City collegiate scene.
Timeline
2023: Named to French Sports Ministry list of promising athletes.
June 2026: Competed in the 100 and 200 breaststroke at the French Nationals.
2026: Fordham University finished 5th at the Atlantic-10 Championships.
Fall 2027: Arrival at Fordham University for the start of her collegiate career.
Season Trajectory
This recruitment marks a strategic shift for Fordham as they look to build upon their 5th place result at the 2026 Atlantic-10 Championships. By securing a high-level international talent, the program positions itself to challenge for higher spots in the conference standings by 2031.
The addition of a swimmer with French National B-final experience provides the Rams with a new internal benchmark for the breaststroke events. This recruit directly affects the projected depth chart for the team's 2027-2028 conference season.
The takeaway
Bouillenne-Duchenne represents the increasing international recruitment focus within collegiate swimming programs. Future athletes can anticipate more global scouting as teams look to boost their conference point totals through high-level international development pathways.
Further reading
For more updates on the Rams' roster development, visit Swimming.
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