Utah Signs Traycie Swartz

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, April 15. THE University of Utah women's swimming and diving team recently signed Traycie Swartz, Ute head coach Greg Winslow announced Wednesday.

Swartz will make an immediate impact for the Utes having previously qualified for Olympic Trials and Senior Nationals. Hailing from Chandler, Ariz., Swartz currently swims under coach Mike Walker at the Gold Medal Swim Club. Swartz was also a member of the National Junior team and is the current Arizona high school 5A record holder in the 100 Free.

Top Times

50 Free: 26.07 LCM

100 Free: 56.5 LCM

100 Back: 54.99

Coach Winslow's Thoughts

"I am looking forward to working with [Swartz] again. She is truly an exciting swimmer and outstanding person. [Swartz] will benefit our team with her diligence in the classroom and her passion for racing."

Swartz joins the five other outstanding female Utes who signed in the fall:

Rebecca Bott

Although currently competing with the Curl-Burke Swim Club in Virginia, Bott comes to Utah after three years with Nitro Swimming in Austin, Texas under coach Mike Koleber.

Prior to Nitro Swimming, Bott was a member of the 2006-2007 Iowa state championship team during her freshman year. Bott was a member of the Junior National 800 free relay team and was a Summer LC Junior National Qualifier and a Winter SC Junior National Qualifier.

Bott is also a two-year USA Scholastic All-American and has been named to the Honor Roll for three years.

Top Times

500 Free: 5:03.48

1000 Free: 10:19.21

1650 Free: 17:17.96

Coach Winslow's Thoughts

"[Bott] is a great distance swimmer who comes to Utah ready to make an immediate impact in our distance events. She is a hard worker, a great teammate, and a swimmer who will be fun to work with in the years to come."

Nicole Ligeza

Ligeza comes to Utah from Oswego East High School in Oswego, Ill., where she was coached by Deryl Leubner. Ligeza also swam under Bill Schalz for the Academy Bullets Swim Club. Under their tutelage, Ligeza was a four-time Illinois high school state qualifier in the 100 breast, 100 fly and 200 IM events, a three-time state finalist in the 100 breast and 200 IM, and a four-time Illinois All-State Award recipient. Ligeza was also the team captain for her high school team during both her junior and senior years.

In addition to her in-state honors, Ligeza has earned recognition nationally, first as a high school Scholastic All-American for the 2008-2009 season in the 100 and 200 breast, the 200 and 400 IM, the 100 fly and the 200 back. Ligeza also was a finalist at the NCSA Junior Nationals in the 200 IM, the 400 free relay, the 400 medley relay and the 800 free relay in 2008. In 2009, Ligeza was a Junior Nationals qualifier in the 200 IM and a Winter SCY Nationals qualifier in the 100 and 200 breast as well as the 200 IM.

Some of her other interests and hobbies include running, biking, snowboarding, watching a good movie and listening to her iPod. She is currently undecided on a major.

Ligeza was born on Dec. 15, 1991 in Chicago and her parents are Ryszard and Urszula Ligeza.

Top Times

100 Breast: 1:04.49

200 Breast: 2:18.78

200 IM: 2:04.93

400 IM: 4:29.17

Coach Winslow's Thoughts

"[Ligeza] is a great 200 breaststroker who will push current team record holder and captain, Maiya Otsuka, everyday in practice. [Ligeza's] goals are right in line with where the Utes want to be and she will be someone who will strengthen our breaststroke events for years to come. [Ligeza] will also be challenging for a spot on the 2012 Polish Olympic team and I expect her to be ready for London in 2012."

Valerie McMullen

From Heritage High School in Leesburg, Va., McMullen brings a wealth of talent. As a member of Sun Devil Aquatics from 2002 to 2006, McMullen earned an Arizona state championship in the 200 free and was also a member of a nationally-ranked relay. She was also a member of SNOW Swimming under coach Mike Pliuskaitis from 2006 to 2010, becoming the record holder in 200 free, 100 back and 500 free.

During her sophomore year of high school, McMullen broke the Virginia AA District record in the 200 free and was the 50 free champion. In 2007, McMullen was Potomac Valley Zones champion in the 200 and 500 free and was PVS Junior Olympics champion and record holder for the 200 and 500 free as well as the 200 back. In 2008, McMullen was a member of the PVS Zones meet record-breaking relay team and was PVS Zones team champion in 100 and 200 free.

Top Times

50 Free: 24.3

100 Free: 52.3

200 Free: 1:50.6

500 Free: 5:01

100 Back: 58.6

Coach Winslow's Thoughts

"Val is a tough, strong athlete who will change the chemistry of our team the moment she steps on campus. I expect Val to solidify our middle distance events and help out on relays while bringing an amazing work ethic and mental toughness to our squad."

Elizabeth Thompson

Coming to the Utes from Layton High School, just north of Salt Lake City, Thompson is one of the local athletes on the Utah squad. Swimming under Kristine Dukes, Thompson is the current Utah High School state champion in the 50 freestyle and finished second in the 100 backstroke at the state high school championships. Thompson was also honored at the 2009 Viewmont Thanksgiving Invitational by winning Overall Highpoint for the women. Thompson has also been on state-placing relay teams from Layton, helping her team to a fifth-place finish at the 5A State Championships in 2009. She was also named the hardest worker on the Layton High School swim team in 2007.

In addition to her athletic accomplishments, Thompson has achieved academic success. She was named the Student of the Term for her first term senior year in AP English literature, creative writing and swim conditioning. She has also been on the honor roll through her entire high school career.

Top Times

50 Free: 24.27

100 Free: 54.22

100 Fly: 57.99

100 Back: 58.34

Coach Winslow's Thoughts

"[Thompson] is a local Utah superstar who will add to our depth in our sprint events. I expect big things from her in the next few years and am excited to see a home-grown talent join our squad."

Samantha Zuch

Coming from Napoleon High School in Napoleon, Ohio, Zuch is one of the most decorated new swimmers coming to Utah. Coached by Larry Vocke, Zuch is a six-time NISCA high school All-American, earning the honor for her performances in the 200 free in 2007, the 50, 100 and 200 free in 2008 and the 200 and 500 free in 2009. She has set Napoleon High school records in the 50, 100, 200 and 500 free as well as set three Northwest Ohio District meet records. She is the 2009 and 2010 Ohio state champion in the 200 and 500 free and has been named to the Ohio All-State team for second and fourth-place finishes during her freshman and sophomore years. Zuch is a four-time Greater Buckeye Conference Swimmer of the Year and was named first-team All-State in water polo during both her junior and senior year.

Zuch has three sisters: Katie, Amanda and Allison. Her parents are Tim and Brenda Zuch.

Top Times

50 Free: 23.73

100 Free: 51.03

200 Free: 1:48.38

500 Free: 4:51.14

100 Breast: 1:04.32

Coach Winslow's Thoughts

"[Zuch] is an impressive multi-sport athlete who has competed in both swimming and water polo throughout her high school career. [Zuch] will make an impact on all of our relays and will swim a lot of different events for the Utes throughout the next four years. We are excited to have such an amazing athlete join our team."

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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