Liberty Announces Newest Additions to Swim Team

LYNCHBURG, Virginia, May 4. LIBERTY swimming head coach Jake Shellenberger has announced the signing of three student-athletes to national letters of intent for the 2011-12 academic year. Meghan Babcock, Cori Gary and Jenny Garzinski will join the swim team for the program's second year of competition.

"These three young ladies round out a very exciting 2011 class," commented Shellenberger. "With Cori, Meghan and Jenny, we added greatly to our freestyle and stroke depth, and all five of our relays will reap the benefits. All three are a perfect fit for this university, and will not only score very high in our conference, but they also have the potential to qualify for the NCAA Championships as well.

"We are expecting big things from them and look forward to having them on campus this fall."

Meghan Babcock
Hometown: Winston-Salem, N.C.
High School: Reagan High School
Club: STAR Aquatics
Club Coach: Chris Bowker
Intended Major: Exercise Science
Honors and Highlights:
• National Honor Society member
• Four-year Varsity Letter winner
• All-American in 200 Free Relay
• 2-time All-Conference Swimmer
• North Carolina 4A State Record in 200 Free Relay
Best Times: 50 Free: 24.55; 100 Free: 53.69
Quote From Babcock: "Swimming in college has always been a dream of mine, and I think this team is going to be a great fit. I love that Liberty takes academics, athletics and faith very seriously. Go Flames!!!"

Quote from Shellenberger: "STAR Aquatics continuously turns out top swimmers in North Carolina, and Meghan is going to help us tremendously here at Liberty. She has an enormous amount of untapped potential. She will compete for relay spots and help us at the conference level in the sprint and mid-distance freestyle events."

Cori Gary
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
High School: Ronald Reagan High School
Club: Almo Area Aquatics
Club Coach: Larry Hough
Intended Major: Communications Broadcasting
Honors and Highlights:
• Texas State High School Swimming gold and silver medalist
• District Swimmer of the Year
• Regional gold medalist
• Sectional finalist
Best Times: 50 free: 23.95; 100 free: 51.55
Quote from Gary: "I think that Liberty is exactly what I need, a new challenge, people to push me, and it has great food. What more could you ask for?"

Quote from Shellenberger: "Simply put, Texas is one of the best high school and club swimming states in the country. The fact that Cori is a Texas High School gold medalist speaks for itself, and she will enter our conference with top-eight times in the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle. She will have an immediate impact on our sprint relays and she has all the tools to qualify for the NCAA Championship meet, U.S. Senior Nationals and the Olympic Trials."

Name: Jenny Garzinski
Hometown: Springboro, Ohio
High School: Springboro High School
Club: Countryside Torpedoes
Club Coach: Brad Isham
Intended Major: Education
Honors and Highlights:
• Four-year varsity letter winner
• Four-year GWOC all-conference
• Six-time state qualifier
• Three-gime All-Ohio honoree
• Five-time All-American
Best Times: 100 breaststroke: 1:06.84; 200 breaststroke: 2:25.25; 50 Free: 24.86
Quote from Garzinski: "Liberty is the place for me, both athletically but academically. I love the positive atmosphere, the people are so genuine and the campus is beautiful. I'm looking forward to continuing my schooling here, as well as being part of the swimming program."

Quote from Shellenberger: "Jenny comes to us from the Countryside YMCA and coach Brad Isham, who has twice been named National YMCA Coach of the Year. At Countryside, Jenny developed into one of the top breaststrokers in Ohio, and we are extremely excited for her to continue her success here at Liberty. She comes into the conference scoring in both the 100 and 200 breaststroke, and will compete immediately for the breaststroke leg on our 200 and 400 medley relays."

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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