Louisville Announces Early Signing Class

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky, November 22. THE University of Louisville Women's swimming and Diving Team has signed six for the 2011 early signing period . The new additions to the 2012-2013 roster will include: Devon Bibault (Edmonton, Canada), Emma Coakley (Elizabethtown, Ky.), Madalyn Ingmire (Highlands Ranch, Colo.), Lucy Kramer (Carmel, Ind.), Brittany Robinson (North Webster, Ind.), and Kelsi Worrell (Westampton, N.J.).

"This group of young women will certainly be vital players in the continue advancement of our program. We are thrilled with their current achievements, but even more excited to see their future development as athletes and individuals," said U of L Head Coach Arthur Albiero.

Devon Bibault, a 2011 finalist in the 200 butterfly at the World Junior Championships in Lima, Peru comes to Louisville from Edmonton, Canada. Dropping over two seconds off her best time, Devon swam to a 7th place finish with a time of 2:14.12(LCM). She will also add speed to the Louisville line-up in the 100-butterfly with a time of 1:01.79(LCM).

"Devon's improvement this summer is very promising and clearly shows her development as an athlete. We are eager to work with her and help her achieve her highest ability," said Albiero. "Devon's goal is to continue to improve and to be a solid contender at the Canadian Olympic Trials in 2016. Along with her ambitious athletic goals, Devon is an excellent student and plans on majoring in engineering."

Kentucky native Emma Coakley joins the Cardinals by way of the Elizabethtown Swim Team where she was coached by Maviael Sampaio. She represented her team at the USA Junior National Championship in Palo Alto, Calif. in the 100-butterfly, qualifying with a time of 1:03.53 (LCM) this past summer. Emma has earned multiple top five finishes at the Region 3 high school meet and has been named Region Competitor of the Year. She is an exceptional student and has been named a USA Swimming Scholastic All-American and Academic First Team.

"We are very excited that Emma decided to attend Louisville. With her great work ethic, we see great things for Emma's future swimming career," said Albiero.

Diver Madalyn Ingmire from Highlands Ranch, Colo. joins the Cardinal team by way of the Mile High Dive Club where she is coached by Jack Perkins. Madalyn is a versatile diver and has placed on both boards and platform at the AAU National Championships. She is also a USA National Qualifier on the 1-meter and 3-meter boards. . Madalyn currently hold school records for both 11 and six dives, along with being the Colorado State 5A Runner up.

"Madelyn's strength on the boards and national experience will add depth to our team and will help Louisville diving stay on top of the Big East," said diving coach, Mike Zehnder

Lucy Kramer comes to the Cardinals from the Carmel (Ind.) Swim Club where she is coached by Chris Plumb. Her many swimming accomplishments include being a three-time Indiana High School State Champion and a 2011 National Champion. Her activities outside the pool are just as impressive as her athletic achievements. Lucy has been involved in several extracurricular programs including the food drive, Relay for Life, and "Operation Water Safety" where she works with underprivileged children.

"Lucy is an exceptional athlete. Her passion and energy to work hard and achieve her goal will quickly move her to be a key player in the breaststroke and individual medley events for our team," said Albiero.

Brittany Robinson of North Webster, Ind. joins U of L from PRO Swimming where she is coached by Julie Robinson. Brittany is a USA Senior National qualifier in the 100-backstroke (55.39) and 100-butterfly (54.89, 1:02.22). During her junior year of high school, she placed second in the 100-butterfly at the Indiana High school state meet and sixth in the 50-freestyle. She is a four- time high school swimming All- American and runs cross country during the off season.

"Brittany is one of the most ambitious athletes I have ever met. She has set her sights high and will do whatever it takes to reach her goals. It will be fun working with her and watching her develop next year," Albiero said.

Senior National Qualifier and New Jersey State Champ Kelsi Worrell joins the Cardinals from Westampton, N.J. and the Jersey Storm Swim team where she is coached by Garrett Clark. Her multiple athletic achievements include All- American status in the 100-fly (54.93), 100-back (56.81), and 100-free (50.84). She has been named Rancocas Valley High School Swim Team MVP and Burlington County Swimmer of the year for three consecutive years. Kelsi had a breakout summer, getting a second swim at the USA Junior Nationals in the 100-free (57.58) and narrowly missing her Olympic Trial cut in the 50-free (26.49). Along with her many athletic accomplishments, Kelsi is an USA Swimming Scholastic All American looking to majoring in Pre-Med.

"Kelsi's competitive drive and determination will help strengthen the sprint events at the University of Louisville. We look for her to contribute to the future success of our freestyle and medley relays" said Albiero. "Each of these young ladies will be great assets to our team. They bring determination and an intense desire to get better. Each year we look for individuals who will bring energy and versatility to the Louisville team. This group will undoubtedly add strength to propel our program to the next level." Albiero said.

The University of Louisville Men's Swimming and Diving Team signed five student-athletes to National Letters of Intent during the early signing period. Joining the Cardinals next year are swimmers Bryan Draganosky (Blue Bell, PA), Brett Mackenzie (Tipp City, OH), Nolan Tesone (Westminster, CO), Dexter Thomas (Springdale, AR), and diver Sean Piner (Lilburn, GA).

"This is a solid group of young men that has the potential to be impact players the moment they step on campus. This is a great start to the recruiting effort for the 2012-13 season," said U of L head coach Arthur Albiero.

Bryan Draganosky joins the Cards from Blue Bell, PA where he preps at the perennial swimming power Germantown Academy under the legendary Dick Shoulberg. A multiple times High School All-American, Draganosky is US Olympic Trials qualifier in the grueling 1500m Freestyle. "Bryan is one of the top Distance Freestylers in the High School ranks this year. He will contribute from the get go for us in those events, and has the potential to contribute points at the Conference and NCAA levels his first year." said Albiero

Brett Mackenzie comes to Louisville from Tipp City, Ohio and the Dayton Raiders Swim Club. Born in South Africa, Brett and his family moved to the United States in 2001 when he was seven, and he now holds dual USA/South African citizenship. Mackenzie is a multiple time High School All-American, and three-time Ohio Junior National Champion. He also owns a US Olympic Trial qualifying time in the 400- Individual Medley.

"Brett is an extremely versatile swimmer. He has excelled in the individual medley, and is one of the best 400-IM swimmers in the country this year. We have been very excited in watching his development, and are eager for him to join a strong IM contingent next year," said Albiero.

Dexter Thomas comes to U of L from Springdale, Ark. and the Razorback Aquatic Club Aquahawgs. A multiple time Junior National Qualifier, Thomas also owns a Senior National qualifying time in the 200- breaststroke. A standout in the classroom, Dexter also boasts a perfect GPA.

"I am very excited about Dexter Thomas. He is an incredibly intelligent young man, and has great potential in the pool. He is a very strong in the breaststroke, and we are excited to about his ability in the IM's as well. We are anxious to get him working with our team," said Albiero.

Nolan Tesone comes to Louisville from Pomona High School in Westminster, Colo. and is a product of the North Jeffco Swim Team. Tesone is a Senior National Qualifier in three events (400-IM, 200-IM, 200-backstroke), and is a US Olympic Trials Qualifier in the 400-IM.

"Nolan is an incredibly talented athlete, and extremely versatile swimmer. We are excited to play to his strengths in the Individual Medley, as well as develop his backstroke. He has proven his ability to be competitive in multiple events, and will have an immediate impact for us," said Albiero.

Sean Piner joins the Cards from Parkview High School in Lilburn, Ga. and the Atlanta Diving Association. Piner is a High School All-American and USA Diving Junior National Finalist.

"Sean has some incredible tools, and is a very gifted athlete. He has an impressive list of dives, and will have an immediate impact for us on the boards and on the platform. He has great USA Diving experience, and we are excited for that to pay dividends at the collegiate level." said Diving Coach Mike Zehnder.

"All five of these young men bring an incredible amount of talent and maybe most importantly a burning desire to better to our team. I think these five are a great foundation for this recruiting class and we are just eager to get them to campus and begin working with them," said Albiero.

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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