Miami Announces Women’s Recruiting Class

OXFORD, Ohio, May 25. FIVE top student-athletes from Ohio and six talented out-of-staters highlight Miami University's additions to its 2011-12 women's swimming and diving team.

"It's a real solid class we've got coming in," said RedHawk head coach Dave Jennings. "One of the things we tried to do is improve our depth in the distance events, so this class has a nice middle distance/distance flavor. We also believe that we've added strength at backstroke, breaststroke, IM (individual medley) and sprint freestyle, so we were able to fill a lot of our needs. Over the next couple of years, the girls in this class will develop and really help us."

Miami's 11 scholarship recruits:

KATIE BOOTSMA–Eden Prairie H.S., Eden Prairie, Minn. (backstroke, IM) – Swam for Coach Kelly Boston's Eden Prairie High School team and for Coach Kate Lundsten's Aquajets Swim Team … she was an All-American in the pool and in the classroom, earning captain honors and her team's Eagle Leadership Award … has not decided which academic course she'll follow at Miami.
Dave Jennings about Katie Bootsma: "Back in the early 2000s, Emily Nayes also came to us from Eden Prairie and she was very successful. Katie is a very good backstroker who's competed at the Junior National and National levels. We look for Katie to really complement Leah Thornton. Katie also swims a solid IM."

KATLYN CLICK–Ursaline Academy, Batavia, Ohio (500 & 1650 freestyle) – Earned spots on the sectional, district and all-state teams … swam for Coach Ann Gartner at St. Ursula Academy and for Coach Jeremy Bannon with the Anderson Barracudas … an outstanding student who plans to major in business at Miami.
Jennings about Katlyn Click: "Kaitlyn Click is a solid freestyle distance swimmer in the 500 and 1650 events. Her coach, Jeremy Bannon, says that she's a tremendously hard worker. She'll be a great addition to our program."

COURTNEY COLLETT–Hilton Head Island, S.C. (butterfly, distance) – A South Carolina state record holder at butterfly, twice earning South Carolina Zone Team honors … she was a state champion and her team's MVP three times … swam for Coach Mike Lane's Hilton Head Aquatics team … Courtney plans to study business and marketing at Miami.
Jennings about Courtney Collett: "We're excited to have our first South Carolina girl on our team. She's very close to her Olympic Trials cut in the 200 fly, long course. She's also a fine 500/1000/1650 swimmer. Courntey has already competed at a high level at the Junior Nationals, so we feel like she'll help us replace Miranda Kaltenborn and Saran Bullock."

EMMA CRAIG–Mercy H.S., Ann Arbor, Mich. (middle distance) – Team captain for Coach Shannon Dunworth's Mercy High School squad, Emma won all-area, all-county and all-state honors … swam for Coach Bailey Weathers' Club Wolverine Swim Team … intends to study psychology at Miami.
Jennings about Emma Craig: "Emma is a middle-distance kind of swimmer who has a real upside. We think that she'll help us improve our distance program."

CAITLYN FUJAN–Byron H.S., Byron, Minn. (100, 200) – Joins her sister, Brianna (sophomore), at Miami … as Coach Paul Bachman's Byron High team captain, Caitlyn earned All-America and all-conference honors, winning at the conference and sectional meets … plans to enter health and science classes at Miami.
Jennings about Caitlyn Fujan: "Caitlyn is a 100-200 specialist. We're going to groom her to replace upcoming seniors Chelsey Bruington and Lauren Wallace."

ANNIE MARQUISS–Solon H.S., Solon, Ohio (sprinter) – A team captain for Coach Mike Davidson, Annie was the North Ohio Conference's Swimmer of the Year … a four-time all-league selection and a four-time state competitor, she won 14 All-Ohio awards … a three-time 4.0 Scholastic All-American … she also was a pole vaulter for the track and field squad … intends to major in zoology at Miami.
Jennings about Annie Marquiss: "Annie is a multi-sport athlete. She's an excellent sprinter who will add much-needed depth in those events."

WHITNEY MITCHELL–Libertyville H.S., Green Oaks, Ill. (IM, butterfly) – Whitney competed in swimming, soccer and track at Libertyville High … coached at the prep level by Erik Rogers and at the club level by Vlad Pyshenenko … she was a three-time swimming MVP … she plans to study science at Miami.
Jennings about Whitney Mitchell: "Whitney is a strong IM'er and butterflyer. We're hoping that she'll help fill the void in the IM events that was created by the graduation of Kelsey Vehr and Megan Brunn. Whitney is a multi-sport athlete, so we like her athleticism."

STEPHANIE PEARCE–Turpin H.S., Cincinnati, Ohio (sprinter) – Joins Turpin High School teammate Gabbie Pettinichi at Miami … both competed under Coach Rene Contino at Turpin … an Ohio state finalist, Stephanie won first-team all-conference honors … swam with a record-holding relay team … Benson Spurling was her coach as a member of the Cincinnati Aquatic Club … plans to major in either English or education at Miami.
Jennings about Stephanie Pearce: "Stephanie has great technique. She's tall and will make a big impact in college. We're excited to have Stephanie on our team."

GABBIE PETTINICHI–Turpin H.S., Cincinnati, Ohio (IM, breaststroke) – Gabbie accompanies Turpin High teammate Stephanie Pearce as a Miami swimming recruit … a senior team captain for Coach Rene Contino, she was a four-time state meet qualifier and was selected to the 2010-11 All-America squad … swam for Coach Jeremy Bannon's Anderson Barracudas … hopes to major in dietetics at Miami.
Jennings about Gabbie Pettinichi: "Gabbie is a nice breaststroker who has a real upside in terms of her technique. She will help with our depth in the IM and breaststroke events."

LAUREN SICHTERMAN–Wausau East H.S., South Lebanon, Ohio (sprint freestyle and butterfly) – During Lauren's prep career, Coach Kris Holmgreen's Wausau East High School team was undefeated for four straight years in conference competition … Lauren was an all-state selection in the 50 freestyle and the 100 fly … also swam for coach Abby Dunham's Tide Swim Club … due to her father's job transfer this coming June, she'll call South Lebanon, Ohio her home … Lauren plans to major in business at Miami.
Jennings about Lauren Sichterman: "Lauren is a tall girl who will make an immediate impact on our team. She will swim both sprint freestyle and butterfly events, so it will be a good combination."

AMY TRACE–Upper Arlington H.S., Upper Arlington, Ohio (distance freestyle) – Amy captained Coach Dan Peterkoski's Upper Arlington High School squad … she competed twice at the state meet … the daughter of two teachers has a total of five brothers and sisters … an Academic All-American and National Honor Society member, Amy is undecided as to her major at Miami.
Jennings about Amy Trace: "I like the way Amy looks in the water. If she can make the strides and improvement that I think she will, she can really help us."

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.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x