Rice Owls Sign Two Preps In Early Period

HOUSTON, Texas, November 20. TWO prep swimmers with experience at the high school and club levels have signed with Rice and will join the Owls in the fall of 2007, head swim coach Seth Huston announced on Monday (Nov. 20). The Owls' new signees are Ashten Ackerman of Kissimmee, Fla. and Hannah Chura of Bozeman, Mont.

Chura is the Montana Swimmer of the Year who qualified for the Junior Nationals and U.S. Open in four events. She set the high school state record in the 200-individual medley and won a host individual state championships in the IM, breaststroke and freestyle. Ackerman is a Junior National finalist, U.S. Open qualifier and the state of Florida's top swimmer in the 200-yard breaststroke in her age group (17-18 year olds). She is a regional record holder in five events.

"Both swimmers had really good years, qualifying for the Junior Nationals from opposite sides of the country," Huston said. "They already have exceptional achievements in swimming, but it is interesting that both have really been in competitive swimming only a very short time. They are relative newcomers to swimming, but worked to put themselves into the Junior Nationals soon after taking up the sport. Their potential for what they could achieve when they get more experience is very exciting. Their best meets are ahead of them for sure.

"Ashten and Hannah are also outstanding students and they will both be great additions to our program," Huston said. "I am very pleased with the direction our recruiting has taken the last few years. Each recruiting class seems to get better and better."

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