Busy Halloween Weekend in Recruiting

PHOENIX, Arizona, November 2. COLLEGE coaches throughout the nation took Trick or Treating to another level this Halloween weekend as commitments came flying into the Swimming World College Recruit Rankings. On top of six star Elizabeth Beisel committing to Florida as previously reported on Saturday, recruits were busy pledging their services as part of the Class of 2010.

Five star Felicia Lee became Stanford's first public commit, and she was certainly worth the wait. Lee, who swims for North Baltimore and preps at Towson High, is a long course stalwart with long course senior national cuts in the 50-meter free (26.28), 100-meter free (55.96), 200-meter free (2:01.07), 100-meter back (1:02.53), 200-meter back (2:16.05), 200-meter breast (2:36.86), 100-meter fly (58.54), 200-meter fly (2:09.45), 200-meter IM (2:15.17) and 400-meter IM (4:50.44). She also would have qualified to compete in the 2009 NCAA Division I Championships in the 100-yard fly (52.97), 200-yard fly (1:56.10), 200-yard IM (1:57.92) and 400-yard IM (4:13.09).

"I had an extremely difficult decision between some great schools, but ultimately I felt that Stanford University had everything I wanted for my college experience–excellent academics, unbelievable team chemistry, and a swim program that I feel can elevate my training and bring me to the next level," Lee told Swimming World "I'm confident that Lea [Maurer] and Shane [Whildin] will help me every step of the way to reach my goals. California's not such a bad location either. I'm excited to see how my college career will unfold at Stanford. GO CARD!"

Auburn keeps on picking up top level recruits in what is fast becoming the top overall class in the nation. Five star Olivia Scott, who swims for the Academy Bullets and preps at Rosary High, committed to Auburn over the weekend. She owns long course senior national cuts in the 50-meter free (26.55), 100-meter free (57.16), 100-meter back (1:03.51), 200-meter back (2:17.61), 100-meter fly (59.87) and 200-meter IM (2:19.36). She also has B cuts in the 100-yard free (49.95), 100-yard back (54.84), 200-yard back (1:58.18) and 100-yard fly (53.49).

She joins a huge class including six star Dagny Knutson as well as five stars Emily Bos, Nimrod Hayet, Dakota Hodgson, Haley Krakoski, TJ Leon, Chris Manning, Evan Noble and Erin Reisinger.

Four star Danielle Jansen joined an ever deepening class at North Carolina. Jansen, who swims for the Manta Rays and preps at William Mason High, holds a long course senior national cut in the 200-meter IM (2:20.56). She also has an NCAA Division I B cut in the 200-yard free (1:48.52).

She joins a list of five stars already committed to North Carolina comprised of Patrick Ceddia, Emily Kelly, Dan O'Connor, Stephanie Peacock and Katherine Rechsteiner.

Five star Evan Virtue also pledged his services to North Carolina over the weekend. Virtue, who swims for California Capital and preps at Oakmont High, owns long course senior national cuts in the 1500-meter free (15:37.71) and 200-meter fly (2:00.95). He also has B cuts in the 500-yard free (4:27.49), 1650-yard free (15:19.37) and 200-yard fly (1:47.16).

Virginia added five star Rachel Naurath and four star Brad Phillips over the weekend.

Naurath, who swims for NOVA of Virginia and preps at the Collegiate School, is a proven commodity in yards events. She would have finished in the top 16 in the 1650-yard freestyle last year at Division I's pinnacle meet with a 16:07.53 to her credit. She also has strong long course times with long course senior national cuts in the 200-meter free (2:02.10), 400-meter free (4:16.02), 800-meter free (8:44.88), 200-meter fly (2:14.34) and 400-meter IM (4:53.96).

"The decision was unbelievably difficult, and it took me over a week to sort everything out," Naurath told Swimming World. "In the end, I knew UVA was the best fit for me academically as well as athletically. I can't wait to be a Cavalier next year!! GO HOOS!"

Phillips is a four-star recruit out of Herndon, Va., with B cuts in the 500-yard free (4:25.85) and 1650-yard free (15:32.66).

Naurath and Phillips join five stars Jonathan Buerger, Parker Camp, Caroline Kenney and Emily Lloyd as well as four star Hillary Petersen.

Five star Melissa Bates committed to California. Bates, who swims for the OC Waves and preps at Mater Dei High, has long course senior national cuts in the 50-meter free (26.54), 100-meter breast (1:10.87), 200-meter breast (2:34.47) and 200-meter IM (2:19.18). She also holds B cuts in the 100-yard breast (1:01.60) and 200-yard breast (2:13.80).

She joins fellow five stars Deborah Roth, Samantha Shellem and Cindy Tran as future Golden Bears.

Four star Paul Nolle III committed to Princeton. Nolle, who swims for the Berkeley Aquatic Club and preps at Delbarton High, has a long course senior national cut in the 1500-meter free (15:56.55). He joins three star Kasey Morris as part of Princeton's Class of 2010.

Four star Chelsea Howard, out of Duke Aquatics and Riverside High, committed to Penn State. Howard owns a long course senior national cut in the 100-meter fly (1:01.83). She joins fellow four star Claire Singley at PSU.

Meanwhile, two star Joel Demuth out of Naperville North by way of the Mavericks committed to the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Emory picked up its second commitment when two star Kylie McKenzie of Tri-Hampton YMCA and Pennsbury High joined one star Courtney McDermott in Emory's Class of 2010.

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