Texas Women’s Swimming Signs Seven

Co-head coaches Jill Sterkel and Mike Walker sign seven prospects for 2002-03 season

AUSTIN, Texas – The University of Texas women's swimming co-head coaches Jill Sterkel and Mike Walker announced Tuesday the signing of seven student-athletes to a National Letter of Intent for the 2002-03 academic year. Joining the Longhorns next year will be Jaclyn Faulkner (New Orleans, La./St. Mary's Dominican), Amanda Larence (Nashville, Tenn./Harpeth Hall), Meghan Peart (Green Lane, Pa./Germantown Academy), Jennifer Robbins (Atlanta, Ga./North Springs), Celeste Rogers (San Antonio, Texas/Alamo Heights), Kristin Siminski (Portage, Ind./Portage) and Erin Wehrmann (Fort Worth, Texas/Southwest).

"I am very pleased with the group of women that we have coming in," Sterkel said. "I think that we have a solid group and their strength is in the size of the class, along with the overall talent across the board. It is going to be really exciting to work with these athletes and watch their improvement over the years to come."

"This class has the rare combination of not only great athletic ability, but also personality, diversity and exceptional academic success," Walker said. "The moment they step on campus, they will bring us depth in all areas of the pool. This class truly represents the kind of well-rounded student-athletes that we are always looking for at The University of Texas."

A 2000 U.S. Olympic Trials participant, Faulkner has earned All-America honors for three consecutive years by the National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association (NISCA) in the 50, 100 and 200-yard freestyle, as well as the 200 and 400 free relay. The 1999 NISCA Louisiana Swimmer of the Year, Faulkner has led St. Mary's Dominican High to three straight undefeated seasons (1999-01), winning every dual, district and state meet. Faulkner also won the 2001 Louisiana State Championship in the 50 free (23.51), 100 free (51.07) and 100 butterfly (57.50).

Larence, who also competed at the 2000 U.S. Olympic Trials, was a 2001 Girls Independent High School Association All-American in the 400 freestyle relay, while also earning 2000 All-America honors in the 200 IM and 200 medley relay (honorable mention). Larence is the Tennessee Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association (TISCA) state record-holder in the 100 breaststroke (1:03.10).

Peart, a three-time letterwinner at Germantown Academy, has been named the Most Outstanding Swimmer for three consecutive years (1999-2001) at the Eastern Prep School Swimming Championships, following first-place performances in the 50 free, 100 free, 200 free relay and 400 free relay all three years. A 1998 U.S. Senior Nationals participant, Peart has helped Germantown Academy to three straight Interacademic League titles, as well as the 1999 Eastern Prep School Championship.

Robbins was named a 2001 high school honorable mention All-American following her performance at the Georgia state championship meet where she captured wins in both the 50 and the 100-yard freestyle. An honor roll student, she also was named a 2001 USA Swimming Scholastic All-American, while also garnering Georgia All-State accolades in 2000 and 2001.

Rogers is a three-time letterwinner at Alamo Heights High, where she was named a 2001 All-American and a 2000 honorable mention All-American in the 200 and 500 freestyle. The 2001 4A Texas State Champion in the 500 free and the 2000 Texas 4A State Champion in the 200 free and 200 free relay, Rogers most recently competed nationally at the 2001 U.S. Senior Nationals.

Siminski was named as a high school All-American in 2001 in the 100 free, 200 free and 100 butterfly. She was also a 1999 high school All-American in the 200 medley relay. Siminski swam at the 1999 and 2000 U.S. Junior Nationals, 2000 U.S. Olympic Trials and 2001 U.S. Senior Nationals. A three-time All-Conference performer, Siminski was named All-State in the 100 butterfly and 200 freestyle in 2000.

A two-time all-state selection (2000, 2001), Wehrmann is the 2001 Texas 4A State Champion and record holder in the 200 IM. A product of Southwest High School in Fort Worth, Wehrmann helped her team to a 2001 district title and has been honored as an all-district and all-area selection for three consecutive years (1999-01). She currently holds four Fort Worth ISD records and all but one of Southwest's school records.

Check www.TexasSports.com for the latest Texas women's swimming and diving news.

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