TCU Recruiting Class Ranked Nationally by Collegeswimming.com

FORT WORTH, Texas, June 12. THE TCU women's swimming and diving 2008-09 recruiting class has been list as the No. 21 women's class in the country by CollegeSwimming.com. The Horned Frogs were one of only three Mountain West Conference programs listed, behind (No. 4) San Diego State and ahead of Colorado State.

"I'm excited about this class and where it can help us," said Sybesma. "We feel that this group will really be able to improve our program in and out of the water."

Ali Berry is one of five swimmers that committed to join the women's team in the fall. Berry, a native of Houston, Texas, swims at Lamar High School and will compete in freestyle events for TCU.

"We are excited to get a swimmer of Ali's caliber at TCU," Sybesma said. "She had a great summer and if she continues to get faster, she can really help our program."

Mary O'Sullivan will join the Purple and White after spending the last two seasons at Indian River Community College in Vero Beach, Fla. The Brockton, Mass., native helped lead Indian River to its 27th consecutive women's National Junior College Athletics Association (NJCAA) Championship in 2008.

Sabine Rasch, a Luckenwalde, Germany native has competed at multiple major championships, including the 2008 FINA World Cup in Berlin, Germany and German Nationals. Rasch will swim in the sprint and butterfly events for the Horned Frogs.

"Sabine is a true sprinter," said Sybesma. "She is extremely fast and talented and we are really excited about her potential."

Madi Rupp will join the women's swimming team from Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax, Va. Rupp was a three-time South Carolina State Champion and Most Valuable Swimmer, as well as a two-time High School All-American for Fort Dorchester High School in Charleston, S.C. Rupp will swim in freestyle events for TCU.

"Madi has had to move quite a bit with her family's military background, but she has excelled wherever she landed," Sybesma explained. "We are excited to have her as a Horned Frog and look forward to her arriving on campus in the fall."

Maggie Smith will make the short trek to Fort Worth, coming from Berkner High in Richardson, Texas. Named the Most Valuable Swimmer in each of the past three seasons for Berkner, Smith reached the Texas High School State Championships as a freshman and a sophomore. A standout for City of Richardson (COR) swim team, Smith will compete in breaststroke and backstroke events for the Frogs.

"Maggie is a real addition in the breaststroke," Sybesma said. "She will be a big help and coming from the Metroplex, she should be able to swim in front of her family and friends."

Kristi Dena is a Fort Worth product that swam for TCU record holder Ron Forrest at Fort Worth Area Swim Team. Dena is on a full academic scholarship to TCU and plans to major in biology or political science.

"Kristi is a local swimmer that will be a real good addition to our depth in the 100-, 200- 500- and the fly," Sybesma said. "We were really happy to get her here at TCU."

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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