Minnesota Announces Early Women’s Recruiting Class

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, November 12. UNIVERSITY of Minnesota women's swim co-head coaches Kelly Kremer and Terry Nieszner have announced that Minnesota natives Kaela Anderson (Stillwater), Tess Behrens (Maple Grove), Erin Caflisch (Eyota), Monica Radecke (Stillwater) and Hailey Szews (Elk River) have signed National Letters of Intent and will join the Gopher program next fall.

Kaela Anderson swims at Stillwater High School under coach Brian Luke and the St. Croix Swim Club under former Gopher great Olga Splichalova Espinosa. A multiple All-American, all-state and all-conference selection, Anderson is a team captain for the 2009 Ponies team. Anderson was a member of the Ponies that won the conference and state championship last season, a team that has gone undefeated in duals over the last five years. During her high school career, Anderson has won the 200 IM (2007), 400 free relay (2006, 2007, 2008) and the 500 free (2006). This past summer, she also competed at the World Trial Championships in Indianapolis, Ind. Holding a grade point average of 3.9, Anderson is a USA Swimming Academic All-American and a High School Academic All-American. She is the daughter of Greg and Erin Anderson. Her mother, Erin (Driscoll), swam for the Gophers from 1981-85.

"Kaela is an elite level student athlete who has accomplished great success at every level she has competed," Kremer and Nieszner said. "She is an intense competitor and the ultimate team player, and yet what is most impressive is that no matter what circumstance you see her in, she is constantly smiling! We will be counting on Kaela to bring her leadership skills that she has developed while guiding the Stillwater Ponies to state prominence with her here to Minnesota as she helps our program move to the next level."

"I chose Minnesota because it's close to home and I like the coaches and the team dynamic." Anderson said.

Like Anderson, Monica Radecke swims at Stillwater High School under coach Brian Luke and the STAR Swim Club under coach Paul Lundsten. A team captain, Radecke is a member of the 2008 Minnesota State Class AA team champions. A state champion with the 200 medley and free relays, Radecke was a finalist in the 100 free and a consolation finalist in the 50 free at the 2008 Minnesota State High School meet. With the 200 free relay, she and the Ponies hold the all-time state record and the Class AA state record. A team captain again this year, Radecke is a multiple NISCA All-American. Monica is the daughter of Tess and Kurt Radecke and is an honor roll student. Her sister, Meagan, is currently a junior on the Gopher team.

"Monica's success as a high school honor student and Minnesota State High School Swimming champion will certainly enable her to make the transition to Minnesota and our program," Kremer and Nieszner said. "She has the tools necessary to build on that success as a Golden Gopher and will help us at both the Big Ten and NCAA levels."

Tess Behrens hails from Maple Grove, Minn. and swims with Maple Grove Senior High under Matt Schoen and the Aquajets Swim Club under Coach Kate Lundsten. A multiple NISCA All-American, Behrens has competed at the World Championship Trials, the Short-Course Nationals, Junior Nationals and the Speedo Series. Behrens was a member of the Maple Grove Senior High when it won the Class AA state championship in 2007. She was the 2007 and 2008 state runner-up in the 100 back and finished third overall in 2008 in the 50 free. A five-time all-conference and three-time all-state selection, Behrens was also the team's most valuable in 2007 and in 2008. She owns the school record six events (50, 100, 500 free, 100 back, 200 medley relay and 400 free relay). The daughter of Keith Behrens and Jacque Behrens, Tess is a two-time Scholastic All-American and will graduate this spring from Maple Grove Senior High.

"Tess brings with her lots of national level experience where she has excelled under pressure, anchoring many of the Aquajets' nationally prominent relays," Kremer and Nieszner said. "At Minnesota, Tess' talent and versatility will be utilized from the sprint to the middle distance freestyle, backstroke and relay events."

"When it came down to it, Minnesota had everything I wanted: killer swim program, great academics, beautiful campus and facilities and was close to home," Behrens said. I just can't see myself anywhere else."

Erin Caflisch from Eyota, Minn., is swimming unattached this season with coach Erik Collins out of Rochester, Minn. A multiple NISCA All-American, all-state and all-conference honoree, Caflisch has competed at the last three Minnesota State Class AA state meets when she was with Rochester Mayo High School team. In 2008, Caflisch finished fourth in the 50 free and third overall in the 100 free at the state meet. In 2007 she finished fourth in both the 50 and 100 free and seventh and eighth overall in the same events in 2006. A U.S. National level swimmer, Caflisch has competed in the 50, 100 and 200 free events. The daughter of John and Lynn Caflisch, Erin will graduate from Rochester Mayo this spring and is a USA Swimming Scholastic All-American, an honor student and a member of the National Honor Society.

"Erin is such a mature and focused young lady," Kremer and Nieszner said. "Her attention to detail and her commitment to maximizing her capabilities will not only allow her to achieve her individual academic and athletic goals, but will also have a strong influence on her teammates as they pursue common team goals together."

"I chose Minnesota because I feel it is the best place for me to excel both academically and athletically over the next four years," Caflisch said. "The coaching staff, team, and resources available are outstanding, and I couldn't imagine myself anywhere else. I look forward to my future as a Golden Gopher!"

Hailey Szews hails from Zimmermann, Minn., and swims with the Aquajets Swim Club under Coach Kate Lundsten. A NISCA All-American, Szews has competed nationally at the Junior Nationals, the Short-Course Nationals and the Speedo Series. An all-conference and all-state honoree, Szews was a four-year letterwinner for Elk River High School. At the 2008 state high school championship meet, Szews was fourth overall in the 200 IM (a school record), sixth in the 100 back (school record) and fifth with the 400 free relay (school record). At sections, she won the 200 IM and finished second in the 100 back, the 400 free relay and the 200 medley relay. Graduating from Elk River High School in 2010, she is a two-time USA Swimming Academic All-American. Hailey is the daughter of Chris and Vicki Szews.

"Hailey is an accomplished student athlete that has flown somewhat under the radar on the National scene," Kremer and Nieszner said. "It is obvious to anyone who has watched Hailey that she is going to be a major factor at swimming's highest levels. We are so fortunate she chose to stay close to home and become a Golden Gopher!"

"I chose Minnesota because the team was very friendly," Szews said. "It is a great school and has great coaches."

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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