Nine Swimmers Join Badgers for 2005-06

MADISON, WI, November 26 THE announcement of fall recruiting classes continues as University of Wisconsin head swimming coach Eric Hansen named three women and six men this week that have signed National Letters of Intent and will join the Badgers in 2005-06.

The nine recruits have earned a total of nine U.S. Open qualifying standards as well as five national qualifying standards. Five have
captured state championships, winning a total of 11 events.

The class features women with experience both on the national and international levels. Yi Ting Siow represented Malaysia at the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games, placing 21st in the Athens 200-meter breaststroke.

New York native Jennifer Illescas, meanwhile, was a U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier in both the 200-meter butterfly and 400-meter freestyle.

"We feel good about the experience and type of athletes we're getting to continue moving forward on the women's side," Hansen said. "These recruits will certainly complement our returnees well."

On the men's side, Scott Rice earned state titles in Washington in the 100-yard butterfly, the 200-yard medley relay and the 400-yard freestyle relay. Future teammate Mike Hopkins also is a multiple state champion, as he won the 100-yard backstroke and 400-yard freestyle relay in 2003.

"This recruiting class is very important," Hansen said. "We are losing three of our most accomplished athletes on the men's team. The newcomers will fill holes and add a great deal to our depth. All-in-all, this group will help us get back to where we need to be."

WOMEN'S RECRUITS

Jill Courtney (Olathe, Kan./Olathe North)
U.S. Open qualifier in 200-yard freestyle
2003 state champion in 100-yard and 200-yard freestyle
100 Free 52.21
200 Free 1:49.96

Jennifer Illescas (East Elmhurst, N.Y./Mary Louis Academy)
U.S. Olympic Trials 200 butterfly and 400 freestyle
National qualifier 200, 800 freestyle and 400 IM
2004 ConocoPhillips Summer Nationals, 4th in 400 freestyle
500 Free 4:54.55
1650 Free 16:58.00
200 Fly 2:03.38
400 Free 4:16.58 (LC)
400 IM 4:56.92 (LC)

Yi Ting Siow (Jacksonville, Fla./The Bolles School)
2000 and 2004 Olympic Games (Maylasia)
Athens: 22nd in 200 IM (2:19.52), 36th in 100 breast (1:13.70) and
21st in 200 breast (2:33.79).
2003 Florida 1A state champion in 200 IM and 100 breast
100 Breast 1:02.69
200 Breast 2:12.74
200 IM 1:59.91
400 IM 4:15.52

MEN'S RECRUITS

Ben Bruce (Seattle, Wash./Mt. Rainier)
U.S. Open qualifier in 200 backstroke and 400 IM
State Champion (3A) on 2004 200 medley and 400 freestyle relay teams
200 Back 1:52.54
200 IM 1:54.99
400 IM 4:01.23

Nick Fulton (New Brighton, Minn./Irondale)
2 x 2004 Minnesota AA state finalist in 100 free and 100 back
100 Back :53.39
100 Free :47.88

Mike Hopkins (Wilmington, Del./Concord)
National qualifier 100-200 back;
Finalist-200 back (2:06.33 LC) at 2004 ConocoPhillips Summer Nationals
2003 state champion in 100-yard backstroke and 400-yard freestyle relay
100 Back 50.85
200 Back 1:49.59

Eric Johnson (Federal Way, Wash./Decatur)
U.S. Open qualifier in 100 breaststroke
Second in 200 IM and 100 breast at 2004 4A State
100 Breast 56.90
200 Breast 2:06.60

Scott Rice (Des Moines, Wash./Mt. Rainier)
U.S. Open qualifier in 100 and 200 butterfly and 200 IM
2004 3A state champion in 100 butterfly, 200 medley and 400 free relay 100 Fly 50.46
200 Fly 1:52.73
200 IM 1:53.11

Kyle Sorensen (Palatine, Ill./Palatine)
U.S. Open qualifier in 50 and 100 freestyle
Second in 100 freestyle at 2004 State Meet
50 Free 20.97
100 Free 45.82

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