LSU Announces Early Signing Class of 10

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana, November 16. LSU Swimming and Diving added seven swimmers, five females and two males, and three female divers during the first signing period of recruiting, as announced by Swimming Coach Dave Geyer and Diving Coach Doug Shaffer on Tuesday.

The fall signing period spanned Nov.9-16 and the coaches were impressed with adding 10 recruits before the late signing period that begins April 11 and ends in August.

"I couldn't be happier with this women's diving recruiting class," Shaffer said. "Absolutely the best class in my career at LSU and arguably one of the best women's diving recruiting classes in the nation. "

Similarly, Geyer believed the swimming class will immediately impact both Tigers squads next season.

Cassie Weil leads the women's diving class and finished 8th and 10th respectively in the three-meter and platform at the 2011 AT&T National Diving Championships. She also is a USA Diving Olympic Trial Qualifier in the same two to events. The Hillsboro, Oregon native is a 17-time Junior National Finalist, four-time Senior National Qualifier and two-time Senior National Finalist. She trained with the Tualatin Hills Diving Club, attended Jesuit High School and plans to major in Sociology or Psychology next fall.

"In my opinion, Cassie is the top female diving recruit in the country this year," Shaffer said. "She is extremely talented, versatile and a fierce competitor. She has enjoyed tremendous success throughout her career at the Junior and Senior National levels and is capable of being a SEC Champion and NCAA All American her freshman year. "

Sophie Weber is a versatile swimmer who achieved an Olympic Trial cut in the 400-meter individual medley with a mark of 4:55.50. Besides competing in the 400-IM, the Folsom, Calif. native boasts impressive times in the 100 backstroke, 200 back, 100 butterfly, 200 fly and the 200 IM. She worked extensively with the Sierra Marlins Swim Club, studied at Granite Bay High School and will major in Biology with a focus in Pre-Med.

"We are excited to have Sophie as a Tiger," Geyer said. "She comes from a great swimming program with the Sierra Marlins and she has proven she can compete and race in just about every event. With her diversity she will be great to use in dual meets and I expect her to develop even further before she even gets on to campus"

On the men's side, the signing of Gabe Rocker and Greg Grenfell will give the Tigers improved breast speed and a bit of local flavor.

Rocker earned an Olympic Trial Cut with a mark of 2:20.32 in the 200-meter breast. Besides the breast events, the Portland, Ore. native will also add to the sprint free depth of the Tigers as well as the 200 free and will be an instrumental part of the 2012 LSU relays. Rocker competed with Tualatin Hills Swim Club, attended Forest Grove High School and plans on majoring in Civil Engineering.

"Gabe gives not only gives us a solid breaststroker, but also has shown he can train and compete in freestyle events," Geyer said. "Gabe's background will help the adjustment to college be an easy one for him."

Grenfell is a Baton Rouge native who attended Catholic High School and competed with the local Tiger Aquatic Swim Club. He boasts top times of 50.83 in the 100 back, 1:48.68 in the 200 back and 50.84 in the 100 fly.

"Being a local product it has been fun to watch Grant grow over the past few years," Geyer said. "His best swims are still ahead of him and we always want to keep as much in state talent in swimming here at LSU."

The Tigers filled various holes on their roster with Weber and the remaining quartet of athletes. Megan Cox, Jassie James, Caley Oquist and Stacey Stanfield will bolster the Lady Tigers lineup immediately.

Cox hails from Scottsdale, Ariz. and will increase the Lady Tigers prowess in a plethora of free events as well as add depth to the IM events. She owns top marks of 4:52.54 in the 500-yard free, which would be the highest mark for LSU this season through five meets. Her 100 free and 200 free marks are competitive as well and will only improve at LSU. Cox trained with the Scottsdale Aquatic Club, studied at Chaparral High School and will major in Business Marketing.

"Megan gives us another true middle distance freestyler for our program," Geyer said. "We look forward to having her come in and step up to potentially fill some relay holes. I think the best is still ahead of her in the water and look forward to her developing as a Tiger"

James is a bona fide distance swimmer who excels in both the 1000 and mile free events. Her top times in both events of 9:53.04 and 16:29.78 respectively, will provide the Lady Tigers with a true distance threat that does not exist in the program today. The Albany, Ore. native has also shown an ability to post prestigious marks in the 200 free, 500 free, 200 back, 200 IM and 400 IM. She went to school at Corvallis High and will major in Sports Medicine or Athletic Training.

"Jessie gives our women's team what we have been looking for, a solid distance swimmer that will be able to take that role in dual meet competition and thrive off of it," Geyer said. "Coming from Corvallis Aquatic Team, she has also shown some development in the IM and backstroke"

Oquist primarily competed in her high school season and will arrive on campus with a ton of potential. The Monticello, Minn. native excels in both back events and the 200 IM. She attended Monticello high school, trained with the Monticello Swim Club and plans on majoring in Spanish.

"With her mom, the late Heidi Raasch, being a swimming alum, Caley has had purple and gold running through her blood since birth," Geyer said. "We look forward to having her develop in the IM, backstroke and freestyle events."

Stanfield specializes in freestyle events ranging from the 50 to the 500 free. The Jacksonville, Fla. native cranked out a lifetime best sprint 50 free time of 23.72 and 100 free time of 50.57. She learned at the Bolles School, competed with the Bolles School Sharks and will major in Kinesiology.

"Stacey will help out our depth in the freestyle events from the 50 all the way up to the 500," Geyer said. "She comes from a very strong program at Bolles and we hope that she will bring some of her team experience from there to LSU"

In addition to Weil, the women's diving class will add punch with the arrival of Allie Alter and Isabelle "Izzy" Choquehuanca on campus.

Alter is an Olympic Trials Qualifier in the Synchronized Platform. The New Albany, Ohio native was the 2008 Age Group National Champion on the three-meter springboard and a seven-time Junior National Finalist. She attended New Albany High school, competed with the Ohio State Diving Club and plans on majoring in Fashion Merchandising.

"Allie has a proven track record of success on the Junior National Level," Shaffer said. "She was the 2008 Age Group national champion on the three-meter and is qualified for the 2012 Olympic Trials in the Synchronized Platform Event. Allie brings a wealth of talent and experience and will make an immediate impact."

Choquehuanca also brings a sparkling national level resume after diving in nine Junior National Championships and finishing 10th in the three-meter dive at the 2011 Junior National Championships. The Laguna Niguel, Calif. native is also the 2011 AAU National Champion in the three-meter event. She dove with the Crown Valley Divers, attended Santa Marguerita High School and plans on majoring in Special Education.

"Izzy is a rising talent who has a very bright future," Shaffer said. "She has an excellent competitive record and tremendous talent and potential. She is strong and athletic, yet graceful with excellent form and technique. She will absolutely contribute to our program."

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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