Northern Iowa Adds Five Swimmers

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa, November 14. THE University of Northern Iowa has signed five swimmers to National Letters of Intent, UNI head swimming coach Stacey Simmer announced. These swimmers include Jocelyn Itzen (Cedar Falls, Iowa/Cedar Falls), Caitlin Krengel (West Chicago, Ill./West Chicago), April and Ashley Mangrich (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Jefferson) and Kelly McCullough (Spencer, Iowa/Spencer).

"Itzen is a very strong swimmer who will make an impact right from the start. Her main events are the IM and 100 free so she will be scoring points for us right away," Simmer said. "It is very exciting having so many Cedar Falls swimmers on the team."

Itzen was a Junior Nationals qualifier in the 400-yard free relay with Amanda Firman and Abby Girard, presently swimming for UNI. She is also a three-time high school all-American, two times in the 200-yard free relay and one time in the 400 free relay and was also a top-16 sectional performer in the 400-yard IM. Itzen anchored for her high school state championship 200-free relay for three years, was a five-time first team all-state, took fourth in the 200-yard IM and sixth in the 200-yard IM and 100-yard free at state and holds BLAST swim club records in the 400 medley relay and 200-yard breast and a high school record in the 400 free relay. She was also an honor roll student every semester at Cedar Falls High School.

Krengel was rookie of the year her freshman year and by her senior year she was the team captain. She is a four-time letterwinner and scholar athlete. Her honors include NISCA all-American swimmer in the 200 medley relay, DuPage Valley all-conference for two years, academic all-conference for four years and state qualifier for three years.

"Our team has needed strength in the breaststroke events and she will immediately make an impact for our team in those events. She is a hard worker who wants to improve and will help take the team to the next level," Simmer said.

April Mangrich was voted most valuable swimmer at her high school, holds school records in the 200 medley relay and 400 free relay, earned second-team all-state and first-team all-metro honors and was a four-year state qualifier. Academically, Mangrich's honors include two-year USA swimming scholastic all-American, all-conference academic and second-place all-state scholastic honors.

"April is a strong swimmer in the state of Iowa and should push some of the returning Panthers. Her times will only improve as a college swimmer," Simmer said.

April's twin sister, Ashley Mangrich holds high school records in the 100-yard breast, 200 medley relay and 400 medley relay. She earned first-team all-state honors in 2003 and second-team all-state honors as well as all-conference academic in 2006. Mangrich was also a four-year state qualifier.

"Ashley is a very exciting swimmer who works hard and will be a great training partner for Krengel," said Simmer.

McCullough, a three-time Spencer MVP and 2005 Regional Athlete of the Year, has qualified for state and lettered in swimming four years. She holds five high school individual records and one relay record. McCullough was named all-state second team in the 200 IM and 500 free, USA swimming scholastic all-American and academic all-state. She also finished in the top 10 in the 200 IM and 500 free at the 2006 state championships.

"I think Kelly's best swimming will be in college and we haven't even scratched the surface as to what she is capable of. She will add more depth to the distance events and be a great training partner to Katie Maloy and Melissa Little," Simmer said.

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