Texas Women’s Swimming and Diving Signs Eight to National Letters of Intent

AUSTIN, Texas, November 24. UNIVERSITY of Texas head women's swimming and diving coach Kim Brackin announced Monday the signings of eight prep standouts to National Letters of Intent. All eight student-athletes will join the Longhorns' women's swimming and diving program in the fall of 2010.

Joining the Longhorns next season are: Samantha Tucker (Austin, Texas/Westlake H.S.); Lily Moldenhauer (San Antonio, Texas/Churchill H.S.); Ellen Lobb (Houston, Texas/Clear Lake H.S.); Marylyn Toledo (Dallas, Texas/Parish Episcopal); Lauren Ross (Westfield, N.J./Mount Saint Mary Academy); Melanie McClure (Mansfield, Texas/Mansfield H.S.); Ashley Brewer (Phoenix, Ariz./Chaparral H.S.) and Catherine Wagner (Houston, Texas/Memorial H.S.).

Brackin on the signing class:
"The eight swimmers we have signed are, first and foremost, young women with great values, a commitment to excellence in the classroom and a strong work ethic, all of which define our program. I have always said it was my goal to attract the very best student-athletes from this state to The University of Texas and to build a recruiting base around them. I am proud to say we have accomplished that with this stellar group. Texas club and high school coaches continually produce some of the top recruits in the country, and an institution like UT should always be amongst their top choices. I think it is valuable to have a diverse group of athletes from all over the country, but I do hope we are beginning a new trend within the state."

Samantha Tucker (Austin, Texas/Westlake HS; Club: Longhorn Aquatics; Club Coach: Doug Rusk)
• Member of the 2009-10 U.S. Women's National Youth Team
• 2009 Texas UIL Class 5A State Champion, 200 freestyle (1:44.64) and 100 freestyle (48.53)
• Gold medalist in the 100m freestyle (55.59) at the 2008 FINA World Youth Championships
• Silver medalist in the 200m freestyle (2:00.41) at the 2008 FINA World Youth Championships
• Gold medalist alongside current UT freshmen Laura Sogar and Caroline McElhany in the 400m medley relay at the 2008 FINA World Youth Championships
• Gold medalist in the 400m freestyle relay and in the 800m freestyle relay (alongside UT signee Lily Moldenhauer) at the 2008 FINA World Youth Championships
• Gold medalist in the 200m freestyle (1:58.81, new meet record) at the 2009 U.S. Open in Federal Way, Wash.
• Five-star recruit by Swimming World Magazine
Top Times: 200y free – 1:44.54; 100m free – 55.59; 200m free – 1:58.81; 100y free – 48.53; 50y free – 23.04; 200y back – 2:00.61; 100y back – 56.39

Brackin on Tucker: "Sam continues to make a name for herself amongst the best 100 and 200 freestylers in this country. She will be an immediate impact person at the NCAA level in her individual events, but what I love the most is her ability to elevate herself to an entirely different standard when she competes on a relay! We're so proud to have her join her brother, Justin (UT football punter) in the nation's best athletic program in the country. Although she had many great options, she is already a Longhorn and, luckily, that eventually pulled her to stay at home in Austin. She brings to Texas experience racing at the international level and a competitive drive that I haven't seen amongst many other girls her age."

Lily Moldenhauer (San Antonio, Texas/Churchill HS; Club: Alamo Area Aquatics Association; Club Coach: Mark Jedow)
• Member of the 2008-09 U.S. Junior National Team (200m freestyle, 100m butterfly, 200m butterfly)
• Gold medalist in the 400m freestyle relay and in the 800m freestyle relay (alongside UT signee Samantha Tucker) at the 2008 FINA World Youth Championships
• Five star recruit by Swimming World Magazine
• Ranked No. 1 among all high school swimmers during the 2008-09 season in the 100-yard butterfly (52.83)
• NISCA All-American
• 2009 Texas UIL Class 5A State Champion, 100 butterfly (52.83)
Top Times: 100y butterfly – 52.83; 200y butterfly – 1:57.94; 100y backstroke – 53.09; 200y backstroke – 1:57.62; 100y free – 49.01; 200y free – 1:46.77; 100m free – 56.66; 200m free – 2:01.83; 100m fly – 1:00.80; 200m fly – 2:12.64;

Brackin on Moldenhauer: "Lily has so much versatility. It is going to be extremely exciting to watch how and where she develops throughout her career at Texas. It is obvious she'll be an immediate go-to person in the 100 fly and 100 back, but her 100 freestyle and her events at the 200-yard distances just continue to improve. She is full of energy and was never shy about showing her deep love for Texas. She will join her cousin (UT baseball's Russell Moldenhauer) on the Forty Acres! Lily also has valuable international experience and looks to continue to represent the USA at future competitions. We're so excited to have our first Alamo Area girl in a long time!"

Ellen Lobb (Houston, Texas/Clear Lake HS; Club: Cypress Fairbanks Swim Club; Club Coach: Clayton Cagle)
• Five-star recruit by Swimming World Magazine
• NISCA All-American, 100y butterfly (55.00) and 100y backstroke (55.55)
• Placed third in the 100 butterfly (55.12) and fourth in the 100 backstroke (55.73) at the 2009 Texas UIL Class 5A State Championship
Top Times: 100m back – 1:03.73; 200m back – 2:16.53; 100m fly – 1:00.96; 100y back – 55.55; 100m free – 58.26; 200m free – 2:05.08; 200m IM – 2:21.47; 200y back – 2:00.56; 100y fly – 55.00; 100y free – 51.69; 200y fly – 2:02.77

Brackin on Lobb: "Ellen is a young woman who any coach would want purely because of personality! I expect she'll liven up any workout with both a positive attitude and tireless work ethic. She has had tremendous success this past summer in the long course pool and we look to Coach Cagle to transition that success into yards this season. Ellen is committed to succeeding in both the classroom and the pool and has indicated she is up for any challenge we throw at her. I hope to see her surprise a few folks at the NCAA meet!"

Marylyn Toledo (Dallas, Texas/Parish Episcopal; Club: Dallas Mustangs; Club Coach: Mook Rhodenbaugh)
• Four-star recruit by Swimming World Magazine
• 2009 TAPPS Division II State Champion, 100 fly, 100 breast
Top Times: 100m fly – 1:01.76; 200m breast – 2:38.69; 200m fly – 2:18.76; 200m IM – 2:22.96; 200y breast – 2:17.75; 100y breast – 1:04.75; 100y fly – 55.71; 200y fly – 2:06.30; 200y IM – 2:05.16

Brackin on Toledo: "Marilyn follows in her father's footsteps as she heads to Austin! I definitely feel like she chose this program in order to stretch herself and explore the limits of her potential. She is another young woman who is extremely versatile and we'll have to see which strokes emerge as her best. Mook Rhodenbaugh believes with the right level of commitment on her part and a great training atmosphere that she will flourish. Her academic drive, energy and desire will be tremendous assets as she develops throughout her career."

Lauren Ross (Westfield, N.J./Mount Saint Mary Academy; Club: Berkeley Aquatic Club; Club Coach: Jim Wood)
• Three-star recruit by Swimming World Magazine
Top Times: 200y free – 1:50.58; 500y free – 4:51.03; 1,650y free – 16:45.33; 400m free – 4:20.40; 800m free – 8:56.43

Brackin on Ross: "Lauren will join a strong group of distance swimmers and not only add depth but also a bit of versatility. Her primary events are the mile and the 500 freestyle, but we believe she has the potential to develop her 400 IM. Lauren will certainly be impactful immediately at the Big 12 level. Hopefully, her experienced training partners will inspire her to help the team at the NCAA level right away. Her academic record is outstanding and we see her being an immediate leader for the team in the classroom. When Coach Woods told us she was a great kid with loads of potential, we knew we had to have her."

Melanie McClure (Mansfield, Texas/Mansfield HS; Club: Mansfield Aquatic Club; Club Coach: Cody Huckabay)
• Three-star recruit by Swimming World Magazine
• NISCA All-American
• Three-time qualifier, USA Swimming National Championships
• Two-time state finalist
• Regional champion
• Six-time district champion
Top Times: 100y back – 55.86; 200y back – 1:59.96; 100m back – 1:04.39; 200m back – 2:15.69; 200y free – 1:51.35; 200m free – 2:07.09

Brackin on McClure: "Melanie impressed me by making the tough choice during this decision process; she comes from a long line of Aggies, but decided for herself that being a Longhorn was what was best for her. She has all the tools for becoming a valued asset at the NCAA level; I think her determination, passion and teammates will help put her in that position. Cody Huckabay has done a great job of getting her to race at the national level but, as she gains strength and a higher level of training intensity behind her 6-1 frame, I think the sky is the limit."

Ashley Brewer (Phoenix, Ariz./Chaparral HS/Club: BEST/Club Coach: Dave Gibson)
• A three-star recruit by Swimming World Magazine
• NISCA All-American
• Placed second in the 100 freestyle (52.91) and first in the 100 backstroke (56.87) at the 2009 Arizona 5A Division II High School State Championships
Top Times: 100y back – 55.47; 100m back – 1:05.10; 200m back – 2:20.93; 200y back – 1:59.74; 100y free – 52.05

Brackin on Brewer: "Ashley comes from such an athletic family and is a self proclaimed ‘late bloomer'. If that is true, I am extremely excited because she has already done some great things throughout her high school career. She will add great depth in our 50's and 100's of back and free and will work to become an immediate standout at the Big 12 level. Dave Gibson not only recommended Ashley to us as a developing talent, but as one of his most valued team leaders. I am excited for her to start contributing both academically and athletically at Texas."

Catherine Wagner (Houston, Texas/Memorial HS; Club: Cypress Fairbanks Swim Club; Club Coach: Clayton Cagle)
• Three-star recruit by Swimming World Magazine
• Five-time NISCA All-American
• 12-time All-State selection
• Three-time team MVP

Top Times: 100y breast – 1:03.81; 200y breast – 2:17.60; 100m breast – 1:12.30; 200y IM – 2:04.88; 200m breast – 2:38.71; 400m IM – 4:59.39; 400m free – 4:23.68

Brackin on Wagner: "Catherine is that quiet little time bomb you're just waiting to go off; she is a great racer who is very competitive. This spring and summer she really began to excel as a breaststroker. I think Catherine will really benefit from the group that we currently have training here. I think she feels right at home in Austin with her Cy-Fair teammates! She will work to be a player at the Big 12 level and help this team win championships. She certainly will help us reach our academic team goals as she is extremely bright and excels in the classroom."

The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World Magazine. It has been posted in its entirety without editing. Swimming World offers all outlets the chance to reach our audience by contacting us at Newsmaster@swimmingworldmagazine.com. However, Swimming World reserves the right to choose what material is posted.

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