Northwestern Signs Four Fast Women

EVANSTON, Ill., Dec. 12. HEAD coach Jimmy Tierney has announced the signing of four individuals to National Letters of Intent to join the Northwestern University women's swimming and diving program beginning in the 2003-04 academic year.

The list includes Jenna Barbary of Rollinsford, N.H., Leanne Dumais of Ventura, Calif., Kristen Kilroy of Portland, Ore., and Ashley Weinhofer of Wilmette, Ill.

"We are thrilled to be adding four outstanding
student-athletes to our Wildcat family," Northwestern head coach Jimmy Tierney said. "Each one brings special gifts as individuals and talents as students and athletes that will enhance our program."

Barbary is a talented breaststroker who was a U.S. national qualifier in the 100 and 200 breast. She has posted personal-best times of 1:05.0 in the 100 breast and 2:16.7 in the 200. While attending St. Thomas Aquinas High, Barbary has compiled a 4.1 grade point average and ranks 11th out of 162 students in her class.

"Jenna comes from a program that prepares athletes well to continue improving at the collegiate level," Tierney said. "She will make an immediate impact in both breaststroke events and will see great improvement in the 400 individual medley."

Dumais, a diver, comes from a rich bloodline of divers in her family. Her brother Troy competed for the United States at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia and has won seven NCAA titles at the
University of Texas. Another brother, Justin, is a 12-time U.S. national champion while also competing for the Longhorns.

Leanne earned first team All-America honors each of the past three seasons while competing for the Trojan Dive Club. She finished fourth at the Junior World Championships and earned a silver medal on the 1-meter board at Junior Nationals in 1999. She is also a three-time defending league champion at Buena High.

"More than just a great diver, Leanne is a great individual," Northwestern diving coach Tom Michael said. "She will give us a great combination, along with Ashley Carter. They will really open some eyes in the Big Ten and together they will put Northwestern diving on the national map."

Kilroy won a pair of individual state championships at Jesuit High as a junior. She captured the 100 freestyle title and broke a 32-year-old state record in winning the 100 butterfly, while leading the Crusaders to the team title in the process. She is a three-time All-American and team MVP.

While competing for the Tualatin Hills Swim Club, Kilroy has set eight individual state records and two Northwest Region records. She is a five-time national qualifier and finished 17th in the 100 fly at the 2000 Olympic trials.

"Kristin will definitely know how to work hard after swimming under Paul Bergen, one of the world's most successful coaches," Tierney said. "I expect her to step right in and compete in the butterfly events for us. We also expect Kristin to add strength to our freestyle sprint relay and contribute right away."

Weinhofer has been named First Team NISCA All-America 12 times over the past three years. She holds New Trier High records in the 200 individual medley and the 500 freestyle. In 1999, Weinhofer captured the Illinois state championship in the 500 free and helped
lead the Trevians to team titles in 2000 and 2001.

As a member of the Lake Forest Swim Club, she qualified for the U.S. Open in 2001 and 2002 and was a Junior National qualifier in 10 individual events.

"I have had my eyes on Ashley for several years now with New Trier High and the Lake Forest Swim Club," said Tierney. "She is multitalented and can race well in several different events, especially the freestyle, IM and backstroke. I'm very excited to have Illinois' premier senior competing for us for the next four years."

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x