Illinois State Receives Two Class of 2025 Verbals from Michiganders Ella Glaspie and Karinda Meeuwsen

illinois state redbirds cheer coach team

Photo Courtesy: Illinois State Swimming & Diving @RedbirdSwim

NEW COMMITS: Illinois State University has entered the 2021 recruiting game with a pair of verbal commitments from Ella Glaspie of Highland, Mich. and Zeeland, Mich. native Karinda Meeuwsen.

Both talented swimmers will arrive in Normal, Ill. as members of the class of 2025.

Under head coach Caitlin Hamilton, the Red Birds finished fourth overall in the team standings at the 2020 Missouri Valley Conference Championships where they had three individual champions, a pair of conference records, and their first Swimmer of the Year since 2004 in Kierston Farley-Sepe.

ELLA GLASPIE

Photo Courtesy: Ella Glaspie Instagram (@ellaglaspiee)

Regarding her commitment, she said:

“I am proud to announce my verbal commitment to swim at Illinois State University! This is such an incredible opportunity, and I cannot express my gratitude enough to Coach Caitlin and Coach Josh for their belief in me. Thank you to my parents, friends, teachers, Coach Brad Brockway and the entire Kingfish Aquatics club family for their support throughout my swim journey. I have found a home with my future Redbird teammates and cannot wait to start this next chapter of my life! #BackTheBirds #blueprint21”

A versatile swimmer, Glaspie does her club swimming with Kingfish Aquatic Club of Waterford and most recently placed 12th in the mile at the Michigan Open after winning the 500 free at the Speedo Midwest Challenge in December. Last summer, she achieved three best times at the Michigan LCM Open where she earned bronze in the 800m free.

Her best times include:

100 back – 59.09
200 back – 2:05.88
100 free – 54.08
200 free – 1:53.81

KARINDA MEEUWSEN

Photo Courtesy: Karinda Meeuwsen via CollegeSwimming

Regarding her commitment, she said:

“I’m so excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my athletic and academic career at Illinois State University. I chose ISU because I felt very welcome and at home during my visit. I loved the girls on the team, the coaches, and the campus. I think it’s a great fit for me both athletically and academically. Thank you to everyone who helped me get to this point, and thank you to Coach Caitlin and Coach Josh for all their support. I can’t wait to be a Redbird!”

Primarily a sprint freestyler, Meeuwsen swims year-round with Michigan Lakeshore Aquatics and was the 100 free and 500 free runner-up at the Michigan Junior Olympic Championships. A current junior at Zeeland High School, she finished 10th in the 50 free and 12th in the 100 free at the Michigan DI State Championships in 2019.

Her best times include:

50 free – 24.34
100 free – 52.68
200 free – 1:57.38

If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.

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