Washington Signs Fourteen To National Letters of Intent

SEATTLE, Wash., November 21. THE University of Washington signed 14 swimmers to national letters of intent in the last week, as announced by Head Coach Mickey Wender. This marks the largest class ever signed in the fall period for the 6th year coach. The group is an even split of 7 women and 7 men.

The incoming class of women should make an immediate and significant impact for the already young Husky Women’s Team. The top career times among the 7 new Huskies would account for 12 new entries on the program’s all time top-10 lists. The clear standout in the group is Caitlyn Shortt (Troutdale, OR), who is coming off a fantastic summer season where she achieved US Olympic Trials qualifying times in the 200 IM and 200 breaststroke. Shortt, who swims for the Mt. Hood Swim Team under coach Bud Taylor, has top times that would already rank among the UW’s all time top-10 in 4 events (100 breast, 200 breast, 200 IM, 400 IM). Further strengthening the Huskies in the breaststrokes next season will be Jessica Buchanan (Reno, NV) and Maggie Bever (Orinda, CA).

Adding to the already deep group of UW sprinters will be Rachel Seely (Spring, TX). She will be joined in the sprint events by local standout Kelly Corcoran (Kent, WA), and in the middle distance races by Rebecca Rogers (Walnut Creek, CA). The final signee for the women’s team comes with a Husky legacy. The daughter of former All-American backstroker Bill Patterson, Mary Patterson (Auburn, WA) will add to the team’s strength in the backstroke and freestyle events.

The Husky Men’s Team welcomes 7 new swimmers from 5 different states as they look to replace the sensational group of senior men on the current squad. The highlight of the class is one of the top prep swimmers in the state. Peter Wicklund (Issaquah, WA) is one of the most versatile swimmers in the nation and will help the team in numerous areas. His top times in the backstroke races would already rank in the program’s illustrious all time top-10 lists and he should prove to be one of the team’s top performers in the butterfly and freestyle races as well. Another of the top in-state swimmers and a butterfly specialist, Mason Amick (Vancouver, WA) will address an immediate need for the team in the 200 fly and also help out in the IM and freestyle events.

Jake Salaz (Troutdale, OR) joins his Mt. Hood Swim Team teammate Caitlyn Shortt as new Huskies. Salaz looks to continue the legacy of great breststrokers for the men’s team. Another extremely versatile swimmer, Bret Lundgaard (Boulder City, NV) will help the Huskies in the backstroke, butterfly, and IM events. Taylor Brugh (Missoula, MT) and Henry Hudson (New Paltz, NY) will strengthen the Huskies in the backstrokes, while Hudson will also contribute in the 400 IM. Rounding out the class for the Dawgs is Brenton Dowdy (La Grande, OR), one of the top up-and-coming sprinters in the northwest.

Below are details for each of the new UW swimmers including hometown, high school, swim club, and top times.

Husky Swimming Signees

Women:
Maggie Bever, Orinda, CA, Campolindo High School, Orinda Aquatics
1:05.63, 2:22.71 Breaststroke

Jessica Buchanan, Reno, NV, Reno High School, Lakeridge Swim Team
1:04.25, 2:21.30 Breaststroke

Kelly Corcoran, Kent, WA, Kentwood High School, King Aquatics
24.48, 53.97 Freestyle

Mary Patterson, Auburn, WA, Auburn High School, King Aquatics
56.00, 2:04.82 Backstroke

Rebecca Rogers, Walnut Creek, CA, Las Lomas High School, Walnut Creek Aquabears
52.91, 1:51.50, 5:00.60 Freestyle

Rachel Seely, Spring, TX, Klein High School, New Wave Aquatics
23.77, 51.55 Freestyle

Caitlyn Shortt, Troutdale, OR , Reynolds High School, Mt. Hood Swim Team
1:04.15, 2:17.24 Breaststroke, 2:02.66, 4:22.18 IM

Men:
Mason Amick, Vancouver, WA, Mountain View High School, Vancouver Swim Club
51.01, 1:52.57 Butterfly, 1:55.34, 4:03.58 IM, 1:43.01, 4:38.32 Freestyle

Taylor Brugh, Missoula, MT, Hellgate High School, Missoula Aquatic Club
52.22, 1:50.86 Backstroke

Brenton Dowdy, La Grande, OR, La Grande High School, La Grande Swim Club
21.51, 46.64 Freestyle

Henry Hudson, New Paltz, NY, Storm King High School, Marist Swim Club
53.33, 1:52.42 Back, 1:55.69, 4:05.09 IM

Bret Lundgaard, Boulder City, NV, Boulder City High School, Desert Storm Swim Team
50.83, 1:51.21 Fly, 1:52.34, 4:05.71 IM, 52.96, 1:53.87 Back, 21.61, 46.99, 1:44.38 Free

Jake Salaz, Troutdale, OR, Barlow High School, Mt. Hood Swim Team
57.56, 2:05.04 Breaststroke

Peter Wicklund, Issaquah, WA, Sammamish High School, Bellevue Club Swim Team
50.30, 1:48.80 Back, 50.30, 1:53.36 Fly, 21.69, 46.79, 1:40.66 Free, 1:55.98 IM

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