Northern Arizona Swimming Adds International Talent to Class of 2018

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Photo Courtesy: Don Elmore/NAU Athletics

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The Northern Arizona swimming & diving program went international to complete their 2018 signing class during the spring semester with the announcement of Katy Smith (Edinburgh, Scotland) and Clara Foster (Nelson, New Zealand) on Monday.

Smith and Foster both signed their National Letters of Intent recently to round out the five-time defending WAC Champions’ incoming freshman class to seven. The Lumberjacks announced five during the fall signing period.

“Katy and Clara are solid additions to help fill in some spots along with our fall signees,” said head coach Andy Johns. “(Our entire class) has the potential to contribute. We didn’t quite fill the spots of seniors we lost, but that was big shoes to fill. I like the potential and the way they’re going to develop.”

Smith should immediately help the Lumberjacks in the 100 and 200 freestyles and will have the ability to contribute in possibly the breaststroke and the individual medley. A frequent medalist at the Scottish National Age Group championships over the last five years, Smith has swam for the top club team at the last two championships.

This year, Smith earned the silver at the Scottish National Age Groups in the 100 free and 200 IM, while placing third in the 200 breast. She also was part of three silver medal relay teams in the 4×100 free, 4×200 free and 4×100 medley relays. Last year, Smith earned gold in the 100 free at the Scottish Schools Swimming Championships and 200m IM at the Scottish National Age Groups.

Smith has also represented Scotland at the UK School Games in 2015 and 2016 and competed at a number of British championships.

“Katy has done well in Scotland in her club career,” Johns said. “I see her in the 100 and 200 free and she could swim the 50 (free), the breaststroke or the IM. She’s got versatility, which is nice. Up front, she’s a replacement for Roni Houck in the 100 and 200.”

Foster will be a critical piece of the Lumberjacks’ breaststroke core given her experience in New Zealand. The latest, but first from New Zealand’s South Island, in NAU’s “Kiwi Express,” Foster has earned a total of 18 medals at the National Age Groups Swimming Championships since 2013.

At the 2017 New Zealand National Age Groups, Foster placed second in the 50m breast and third in the 100m breast in addition to fifth in the 200m breast. She was a two-time 100m breast gold medalist at the 2014 and 2015 meets. She was also a finalist, placing seventh overall, in the 50m breast at last year’s New Zealand Opens & World Championships trials.

Foster holds multiple records in the breaststroke, freestyle and butterfly for Swimming Nelson Marlborough and was selected to represent New Zealand at the 2015 Australian Age Group championships.

“Clara is primarily a sprint breaststroker and we’ll have to see what her other events are – maybe the 50 free, 100 free or 200 breast,” Johns said. “We’re excited to get her here and develop her, especially in the 200 (breast), but her sprint breaststroke could be helpful in the relays. Breaststroke is going to be by committee next year and Clara is going to fit in with that group.”

Smith and Foster will join Natalie Hart (Chandler, Ariz.), Abbie Nelson (Fountain Valley, Calif.), Keeley Vardeman (Austin, Texas) and Astrid Villeda (Las Vegas, Nev.) as NAU’s incoming swimmers. The Lumberjacks also is bringing in one diver, Flagstaff’s Alyssa Jones.

The above press release was posted by Swimming World in conjunction with Northern Arizona University Athletics. For press releases and advertising inquiries please contact Advertising@SwimmingWorld.com.

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Bess Swanson
5 years ago

Liz Hobbs

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